Top-loading bottles and methods

ABSTRACT

Various bottles may contain therein fluids and media while separating each other before use. More particularly, the media may include therein agents and the medium may be stored separately from the fluid before use, and then mixed with the fluids upon use. To this end, the bottles may include various storages configured to store the media in various portions of the bottles, and also include various seals configured to fluidly separate such media from the fluids before use and then mix such media with the fluids upon receiving various user inputs. Various methods may be used to separate such media from the fluids before use and to mix the media with the fluids in various portions of the bottles. Various processes may also be used to form such media, to form such storages as well as various chambers and pathways therefor, and to provide various seals.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation-in-part application of theU.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/318,537 entitled “Agent-containingmedia and methods thereof,” filed on Dec. 31, 2008, currently pending,and a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 12/318,541 entitled “Medium containing bottles and methods,” filedon Dec. 31, 2008, currently pending, the disclosures of which areincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Aspects of the present invention generally relate to bottles containingfluids and agents while separating the agents from the fluids beforeuse. More particularly, aspects of the present invention relate tobottles having fluids and various media with such agents, where themedia are stored separately from the fluids and mixed with the fluidsonly upon use. To this end, the bottles are provided with storages forstoring the media in various portions of the bottles, and also providedwith seals for fluidly separating such media from the fluids before useand then mixing such media with the fluids upon receiving user inputs.Aspects of the present invention relate to various methods of includingthe media and fluids in the bottles while separating the media from thefluids and various methods of mixing the media with the fluids invarious portions of the bottles. Aspects of the present inventionfurther relate to various processes for providing such bottles, forproviding various storages as well as chambers and pathways therefor,and for providing various seals for mixing the media and fluids inresponse to user inputs.

2. Description of the Related Art

It is now well established in the medical community that oxidationreactions are the main culprit of aging in human beings. Every singlecell inside the human body is continuously attacked by various oxidizingsubstances which may be intrinsic as well as extrinsic in their origin.Such substances may be huge molecules capable of inducing the oxidationreactions. However, the most powerful oxidizing substances are “reactiveoxygen species” which are rather small molecules such as, e.g., hydrogenperoxides (H₂O₂), superoxide anions (O₂ ⁻), and free radicals includinghydroxyl radicals (OH.). These species are so oxidative that any cellsattacked thereby are degraded and unable to perform normal functions.

In order to obviate health hazards caused by these strong oxidizingsubstances, people are recommended to take various antioxidants capableof neutralizing such substances and, accordingly, preventing theoxidation reactions or at least reducing rates of such reactions. Themost well-known antioxidant is the ascorbic acid or vitamin C, whileother antioxidants also include various natural and syntheticsubstances, where such antioxidants are generally provided as pills,tablets or powder.

In progress with environmental pollution and a gradual loss of suitablesources, water is now sold in bottles under various names of springwater, mineral water, distilled water, just to name a few. Such bottledwater is sometimes replenished with nutrients such as minerals, withflavors of various fruits, and the like. However, it is rare, if notimpossible, to find such bottled water which contains the antioxidant.One reason is that numerous, if not all, antioxidants become unstableand degrade when irradiated by ultraviolet rays (to be abbreviated asthe “UV rays” hereinafter). Thus, the antioxidants contained in thebottled water tend to be degraded and to lose their chemical and/ormedical potency, long before use. In addition, some antioxidants tend tobe degraded not by such UV rays but solely by a long period ofhydration. Accordingly, such antioxidants may lose their potency inproportion to the period of time during which they are dissolved inwater. Even if such antioxidants are protected from the UV rays, thechances are that they are oxidized during storage by oxygen moleculesdissolved in the water. Because O₂ molecules are relatively small, theycan diffuse through almost all conventional packaging materials such asplastics. In order to prevent this, special containers such as glassesand thick plastic containers have to be used, which will increase thecost of the bottled water.

Therefore, there is a need for a proper medium for the antioxidantswhich are to be stored in a bottle while protecting such antioxidantsfrom the UV rays and water before consumption. There also is a need fora bottle which stores the medium separately from the water beforeconsumption as well as a need for a bottle which mixes the medium withwater upon consumption. There further is a need for a bottle whichincludes a seal separating the medium from water before use and whichallows a user to break and/or move the seal upon use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the present invention generally relate to bottles containingfluids and agents while separating the agents from the fluids beforeuse. More particularly, aspects of the present invention relate tobottles having fluids and various media with such agents, where themedia are stored separately from the fluids and then mixed with thefluids upon actual use. Therefore, one or more embodiments presentinvention relate to various media which contain therein such agents,define shape and size to be stored in such bottles, and optionallypromote dissolution (or dispersion) in the fluids upon mixed therewith,to various storages which are disposed in various portions of thebottles and which have various shapes and sizes for storing such mediatherein, to various chambers which are defined inside the storages andstore the media therein, and to various pathways which are also definedaround the storages and fluidly connect the chamber of the storage tovarious portions of the bottles.

Aspects of the present invention generally relate to various seals whichfluidly separate the media inside the storages from the fluids in thebottles before consumption and are removed upon use for mixing the mediawith the fluids in various portions of the bottles.

Aspects of the present invention generally relate to various actuatorswhich receive user inputs and then mix the media with the fluids inresponse thereto by directly removing the seals, by moving the media forremoving such seals, and the like.

Aspects of the present invention generally relate to various bottlescapable of promoting the mixing between the media and fluids as well ascapable of visualizing extents of such mixing by various means.

Aspects of the present invention generally relate to various methods ofincluding such media and fluids in the bottles while separating themedia from the fluids before use, and then mixing the media with thefluids upon use. Therefore, aspects of the present invention relate tovarious methods of including such agents in the media, those of makingthe media in appropriate shapes and sizes, and those of fabricating themedia for promoting the mixing with such fluids.

In addition, aspects of the present invention relate to various methodsof forming the storages in various portions of the bottles, those ofextending the storages in the same or to different portions of thebottles, those of storing the media in such storages, and those ofmoving the media between different portions of such storages.

Aspects of the present invention generally relate to various methods offluidly sealing the media from the fluids, those of removing the sealingfor mixing the media with the fluids upon use, those of breaking thesealing for the mixing, and those of moving the sealing for the mixing.

Aspects of the present invention generally relate to various methods ofreceiving such user inputs by various portions of the bottles, those ofreceiving the inputs by the storages or their chambers and/or pathways,those of directly removing the sealing by the user inputs, and those ofindirectly removing such sealing by the media which are actuated by theuser inputs.

Aspects of the present invention also relate to various methods ofpromoting the mixing between the media and fluids and those ofvisualizing the extents of such mixing by various means.

Aspects of the present invention generally relate to various processesfor providing the bottles capable of separating such media from thefluids before use and then mixing the media with the fluids only uponactual use. Therefore, embodiments of the present invention relate tovarious processes for fabricating such media containing the agentsand/or fillers therein in proper shapes and/or sizes, those forproviding various bodies of such bottles defining various portions andstoring such media in such portions.

Aspects of the present invention generally relate to various processesfor incorporating the storages in various portions of such bottles,those for defining the chambers and/or pathways in such storages, thosefor defining and/or extending such chambers and/or pathways in variousportions of the bottles, and those for providing the seals in variousportions of the chambers and/or pathways of the storages or in variousportions of the bodies of such bottles.

Aspects of the present invention generally relate to various processesfor fabricating such seals removable by various means, those forproviding the actuators capable of breaking such seals in response tothe user inputs, those for providing the actuators capable of movingsuch seals in response thereto, those for fabricating the actuatorsreceiving the user inputs and removing such seals in direct responsethereto, and those for fabricating the actuators receiving the userinputs and then actuating the media which remove such seals in responsethereto.

Aspects of the present invention generally relate to various processesfor fabricating such bottles capable of promoting the mixing between themedia and fluids and those for providing the bottles capable ofvisualizing the extents of the mixing by various means.

Aspects of the present invention provide various bottles includingvarious fluids and agents, where such agents are mixed into the fluidsonly upon use or consumption.

Aspects of the present invention include in the bottles such agentswhich tend to be vulnerable to ultraviolet rays, extended periods ofdissolution (or dispersion), formation of precipitates or aggregates,and the like.

Aspects of the present invention form various media which includevarious agents such as antioxidants which also refer to nutrients,medical or pharmaceutical substances, herbal substances, homeopathicsubstances, and the like.

Aspects of the present invention include in the media various fillerswhich are capable of protecting the antioxidants.

Aspects of the present invention incorporate in the media such fillerswhich are capable of promoting mixing (including dissolution anddispersion) of the agents with the fluids.

Aspects of the present invention provide various bottles storing suchmedia and fluids while preventing the agents of the media from mixingwith the fluids before use or consumption. Therefore, embodiments of thepresent invention store the media in a top portion of such a bottle (orsimply the top) before use, and to mix the media and fluids anywherealong the bottle.

Aspects of the present invention store the media in the top portion of abody of such a bottle before use, and to mix the media and fluidsanywhere along the bottle.

Aspects of the present invention store such media in a lid or anapplicator of the bottle before use, and to mix the media and fluids inthe middle or bottom portion of the bottle.

Aspects of the present invention store such media along the top portionof a storage coupling with the lid and/or applicator before use, andthen to mix the media and fluids anywhere along such a bottle.

Aspects of the present invention store the media in (or on) the bottle,and then to apply a user input directly to the media for mixing themedia and fluids.

Aspects of the present invention store the media in (or on) such abottle, and then to move such media into the fluids for such mixing.Another related objective of this invention is to store the media in (oron) the bottle, and then to flow the fluids toward such media for suchmixing.

Aspects of the present invention store the media and fluids in thebottle while separating the media from the fluids by various seals andthen to break the seals for mixing the media and fluids.

Aspects of the present invention store such media and fluids in thebottle while separating the media from the fluids by such seals, andthen to move the seals for mixing the media and fluids.

Aspects of the present invention store the media in the top portion ofthe bottle while separating the media from the fluids by various seals,and to break and/or move the seals for mixing the media and fluids inthe middle and/or bottom portions of the bottle.

Aspects of the present invention store the media in the top portion ofsuch a bottle while separating such media from the fluids by the seals,and then to break and/or move such seals for mixing the media and fluidsanywhere along the bottle.

Aspects of the present invention promote such mixing (includingdissolution and dispersion) of the media and fluids by producing gaswith various agents or fillers during such mixing.

Aspects of the present invention promote the mixing between the mediaand fluids by maintaining dimensions of the media during mixing.

Aspects of the present invention promote the mixing between the mediaand fluids by manipulating densities of the media.

Aspects of the present invention contain debris of the media inside thebottle.

Aspects of the present invention store such media in the top portion ofthe bottle and to mix the media and fluids in the other of the portions(i.e., middle or bottom portion) of the bottle. Therefore, embodimentsof the invention supply the bottle with a chamber extending from the topportion of the bottle to the other portions thereof.

Aspects of the present invention extend the chamber from the top portionto the middle or bottom portion, to store the media in the top portion,and then to mix the media with the fluids in the middle or bottomportion of the bottle.

Aspects of the present invention couple the chamber with the lid orapplicator, to store the media in or near the lid or applicator, andthen to mix such media and fluids in the middle or bottom portion ofsuch a bottle.

Aspects of the present invention apply the user input directly to themedia along the chamber for mixing or to receive the user input andtransmit the input to the media thereafter along the chamber for suchmixing while keeping the media in the same portion of the chamber or, inthe alternative, moving such media to different portions of the chamber.

Aspects of the present invention separate the media from the fluids byvarious seals, and then to break and/or move the seals for mixing whilemaintaining the media in the same portion of the chamber and receivingsuch fluids thereinto.

Aspects of the present invention separate the media from the fluids bysuch seals, and to break and/or move such seals for such mixing whilemoving the media to different portions of the chamber.

Aspects of the present invention store such media in the top portion ofthe bottle, to move the media along various pathways to the otherportions thereof, and to mix the media with the fluids in otherportions. Therefore, embodiments of invention provide the bottle withone or more pathways which extend from the top portion of the bottle toother portions thereof.

Aspects of the present invention extend the pathway from the top portionto the middle or bottom portion, to store such media in the top portion,and then to mix the media with the fluids in the middle or bottomportion of the bottle.

Aspects of the present invention couple the pathway with the lid orapplicator, to store such media in or near the lid or applicator, andthen to mix such media and fluids in the middle or bottom portionthereof.

Aspects of the present invention apply the user input directly to themedia for such mixing or, alternatively, to receive the user input andtransmit the input to the media thereafter for mixing while keeping themedia in the same portion of the pathway or, alternatively, moving suchmedia to different portions of the pathway.

Aspects of the present invention separate the media from the fluids bythe seals, and then to break and/or move the seals for the mixing whilekeeping such media in the same portion of the pathway and receiving suchfluids thereto.

Aspects of the present invention separate such media from the fluids byvarious seals, and to break and/or move the seals for such mixing whilemoving the media to different portions of the pathway.

Aspects of the present invention store such media and fluids in (or on)the bottle and then to mix the media with the fluids while producing gaswith the media for promoting the mixing. Therefore, embodiments of theinvention store such media including various gassing fillers (orgasifiers) in any portion of the bottle, and then to mix such gasifiersand fluids in the top portion of the bottle.

Aspects of the present invention provide the media heavier than thefluids for producing such gas from under the fluids and promoting suchmixing.

Aspects of the present invention provide the media lighter than thefluids for producing gas on or near meniscuses of the fluids andpromoting the mixing.

Aspects of the present invention provide the media capable of changingtheir densities during the mixing by including various agents and/orfillers defining different densities, by defining voids therein, and thelike.

Aspects of the present invention store the media and fluids in (or on)the bottle, and to mix the media and fluids while maintaining at leastone dimension of the media for promoting the mixing. Accordingly,embodiments of the invention provide the media with the fillers whichare insoluble to the fluids and have dimensions so that the insolublefillers may maintain the dimensions of the media during and aftermixing.

Aspects of the present invention provide the media with the insolublefillers on which the agents are disposed and mixed with the fluids.

Aspects of the present invention provide the media with the fillerscapable of swelling when mixed with the fluids.

Aspects of the present invention store in the bottle the fluids andmedia including various agents and/or fillers defining various pores forpromoting such mixing between the media and fluids.

Aspects of the present invention store such media in the top portion ofthe bottle while defining macropores and/or micropores therein.

Aspects of the present invention provide the media to form such pores bythe agents (or fillers) for promoting the mixing.

Aspects of the present invention provide the media to form such pores bymixtures of the agents and fillers to promote the mixing of the fluidswith the agents and/or fillers.

Aspects of the present invention provide the medium to define such porespreferentially by the insoluble fillers so that the pores may remainduring and after the mixing.

Aspects of the present invention provide the medium to define such porespreferentially by soluble fillers such that such pores tend to coalesceduring the mixing.

Aspects of the present invention store in the bottle the fluids andmedia including various agents and/or fillers capable of forming pathsof the fluids to promote the mixing between the media and fluids.

Aspects of the present invention store such media in the top portion ofthe bottle and arranging the media to dissolve or disperse into thefluids while leaving various pores in which the fluids enter into theinner portion of the media.

Aspects of the present invention include in the media the agents capableof preferentially dissolving (or dispersing) in the fluids while leavingvarious pores.

Aspects of the present invention include in the media such fillerssoluble to the fluids and capable of preferentially dissolving (ordispersing) into the fluids while leaving such pores.

Aspects of the present invention include in the media such fillersinsoluble to the fluids and retaining the soluble agents and/or fillerssuch that the insoluble pores maintain global structures of the mediaduring the mixing.

Aspects of the present invention provide the bottle including variousmedia and fluids while promoting such mixing therebetween. Therefore,embodiments of the invention provide the media with various gasifiers sothat gas bubbles produced by the gasifiers promote the mixing byconvection within the fluids.

Aspects of the present invention fabricate such media to be immersedduring the mixing so that the media contact the fluids by maximumsurface areas thereof and promote the mixing.

Aspects of the present invention provide the media with various agentsdefining different solubilities to the fluids and then to distributesuch agents in an order of the solubilities so that relatively insolubleagents are mixed first, while relatively soluble agents are mixed later,thereby maximizing the extents of such mixing.

Aspects of the present invention store the media in any portion of thebottle, but to mix the media and fluids in the middle or bottom portionof the bottle so that the media contact the fluids through their entiresurfaces during the mixing.

Aspects of the present invention fabricate the media to change theirdensities during the mixing so that the media contact the fluids indifferent surfaces as the mixing progresses.

Aspects of the present invention store such media and fluids in thebottle while ensuring such media to be immersed inside the fluids duringthe mixing therebetween.

Aspects of the present invention fabricate such media to be heavier thanthe fluids such that the media sink in the fluids during the mixing.

Aspects of the present invention enclose such media with heavy retainersrendering the media to sink in the fluids during the mixing.

Aspects of the present invention include inside the media heavyinsoluble fillers which are incorporated in any proper locations of themedia and maintain their weights to render such media sink in the fluidsduring the mixing.

Aspects of the present invention store such media and fluids in thebottle while ensuring such media to remain inside the bottle during themixing therebetween. Therefore, embodiments of the invention include inthe media various insoluble fillers capable of maintaining theirdimensions greater than those of an opening of the bottle.

Aspects of the present invention provide meshes around or across theopening of the bottle capable of preventing the media from beingdispensed out of the bottle.

Aspects of the present invention enclose such media with retainershaving dimensions greater than those of the opening of the bottle,thereby ensuring the media from staying inside the bottle.

Aspects of the present invention arrange the media and/or retainers toincrease their dimensions so as to facilitate insertion of the mediaand/or retainers into the interior of the bottle while ensuring themedia and/or retainer to stay inside the bottle during or after themixing between the fluids and the media and/or retainers.

Aspects of the present invention store such media and fluids in thebottle while visualizing extents of mixing between the agents and thefluids. Therefore, embodiments of the invention include variousgasifiers in the media and to produce gas bubbles during the mixing ofthe media and fluids, thereby visualizing the extents of mixing by theextents of gassing, distribution of the gas bubbles, and the like.

Aspects of the present invention fabricate such agents or fillers of themedia to define colors and/or refractive indices different from those ofthe fluids, thereby visualizing the extents of mixing by differences ofthe colors and/or refractive indices of the mixtures of the fluids andagents and/or fillers.

Aspects of the present invention fabricate such media as microcapsuleswith colors and/or refractory indices, thereby visualizing the extentsof such mixing by distribution of such capsules in the fluids.

Aspects of the present invention provide on (or in) the bottle variouschambers or pathways which extend from the top portion and which arecapable of fluidly communicating with the interior of the bottle in themiddle or bottom portion of the bottle. Therefore, embodiments of theinvention provide the chambers or pathways in the top portion of thebody of the bottle and then to extend the chambers or pathways down tothe middle or bottom portion of the bottle (or body of the bottle).

Aspects of the present invention provide the chambers or pathways withvarious seals capable of fluidly separating the interior and exterior ofthe bottle therethrough.

Aspects of the present invention provide the seals in the middle orbottom portion of the body of the bottle so as to create mixing zonestherearound.

Aspects of the present invention construct such seals to be removable bythe user inputs applied directly thereto from the exterior, or by suchuse inputs applied to other portions of the body from the interior orexterior.

Aspects of the present invention fabricate such seals to stay in thesame portion of such a bottle while being removed.

Aspects of the present invention fabricate such seals to move onto themiddle or bottom portion of the bottle while being removed. Thus,embodiments of the invention allow the various media to be stored insuch chambers and/or pathways while being separated from the fluids uponuse.

Aspects of the present invention provide the bottle with such lids orapplicators including the chambers and/or pathways which extend from thetop portion onto the middle or bottom portion of the bottle. Therefore,embodiments of the invention provide the lids or applicators with thechambers and/or pathways which in turn include various seals capable offluidly separating their inner spaces from the interior of the bottlewhen the lids or applicators are incorporated thereto.

Aspects of the present invention provide various seals to the middle orbottom portion of the chambers and/or pathways in order to providemixing zones thereat.

Aspects of the present invention fabricate such seals to be removable bythe user inputs applied to the top portion of the bottle, to the lid orto the applicator.

Aspects of the present invention fabricate such seals to stay in thesame portion of the bottle while being removed. Another relatedobjective of this invention is to fabricate such seals to move onto themiddle or bottom portion of the bottle while being removed. Accordingly,various media may be stored in such chambers and/or pathways while beingseparated from the fluids upon use.

It is appreciated that, in aspects and embodiments of the presentinvention, various media are designed to be stored in (or on) suchbottles while being fluidly separated from the fluids before actual use,and then to be mixed with the fluids upon use for being dissolved (ordispersed) into the fluids. Therefore, such bottles include proper sealswhich are capable of fluidly separating the media from the fluids beforeactual use, and then capable of being removed and providing fluidcommunication between the media and fluids upon receiving the userinputs.

It is also appreciated that, in aspects and embodiments of the presentinvention, the media are to be stored in the top portion of the bottle(or its body) but to be mixed with the fluids in the middle or bottomportions thereof. Therefore, various bottles of the present inventionpromote the mixing between the media and fluids by initiating the mixingtherebetween while immersing the media inside the fluids and optionallymaintaining the immersion of the media in the fluids during such mixing.

Various bottles of this invention may be provided in variousembodiments. For example, such bottles may be provided without includingthe media and fluids therein, while defining at least portions ofvarious storages therein. The remaining portions of such storagesincluding proper seals may then be incorporated into the bottles,followed by disposing the media in the storages and filling the bottleswith the fluids. In the alternative, such bottles may be providedwithout including the media and fluids therein, while incorporating thestorages with proper seals therein. The media may then be disposed intothe storages, followed by filling the bottles with the fluids. Thebottles may also be provided with various media disposed in the storagesand separated by proper seals, which may then be filled with the fluids.The bottles may also be provided with such media and fluids and readyfor distribution.

Various bottles of the present invention define unique features andprovide numerous benefits over conventional containers. In one aspect,the bottles may store such media in their top portion, and mix suchmedia with the fluids in any of their top, middle, and/or bottomportions. The bottles may also maximize the extents of mixingtherebetween when such media are to be mixed with the fluids in theirmiddle or bottom portions and to be immersed therein during the mixing.In another aspect, the bottles may also promote the mixing between themedia and fluids by including the gassing fillers or gasifiers in themedia by producing gas bubbles and by inducing convection of the mediaand/or fluids thereby. In another aspect, such bottles may promote themixing between the media and fluids by incorporating in the mediavarious fillers capable of manipulating the densities of the media forsinking or floating the media into the fluids during such mixing,capable of maintaining the shapes and/or sizes of such media during themixing, capable of forming the macropores and/or micropores inside themedia during such mixing, and/or capable of allowing the user to stirthe fluids and media during the mixing. In another aspect, such bottlesmay also visualize the extents of mixing between the media and fluids byvarious means. For example, the gas bubbles from the gasifiers maydenote such extents of mixing, colors and/or refraction of variousagents of such media may represent the extents of mixing, and the like.In another aspect, such bottles may retain the media therein during themixing by maintaining the shapes and/or sizes of the media duringmixing, by enclosing the media with various retainers defining propershapes and/or sizes, and the like.

Various media of the present invention may be used to dissolve variousagents in the fluid only upon use or consumption, although the primarypurpose of such media is to dissolve the antioxidants into variousbeverages contained in the bottles immediately before use. Therefore,such antioxidants may be dissolved into various bottled waters, bottledbeverages, bottled foods, bottled medicine and pharmaceuticalsubstances, bottled nutrients, bottled herbs, and the like, where suchbottled waters may include spring water, mineral water, distilled water,flavored water, and carbonated water all of which are bottled insidevarious plastic, glass, paper, and/or composite containers, where thebottled beverages may include juices, carbonated beverages, anduncarbonated beverages all of which are bottled in such containers,where the bottled food may include milk, yogurt, and other dairyproducts all of which are bottled in such containers, and the like.

In general, such a bottle refers to any rigid or elastic container whichcontains therein a preset amount of fluids which may by definitioninclude liquid, suspension, emulsion, slurry, a mixture of liquid andsolid, and so on. The bottle may be made of and/or include variouspolymers or plastics, glasses, metals, papers, ceramics, papers,composite materials thereof, and so on. Such bottles refer not only toportable bottles but also to stationary bottles, where the portablebottles are generally smaller and contain less fluid than the stationarybottles. In addition, the bottles refer not only to disposable bottlesbut also to other bottles which may be used repeatedly.

Various apparatus, method, and process aspects of such bottles and/orvarious embodiments thereof are now enumerated. It is to be understood,however, that following apparatus, method, and process aspects of thepresent invention may further be embodied in many other different formsand, therefore, should not be limited to such aspects and/or embodimentswhich are to be set forth herein. Rather, various exemplary aspectsand/or their embodiments described hereinafter are provided such thatthis disclosure will be thorough and complete, and fully convey thescope of the present invention to one of ordinary skill in the relevantart.

In one aspect of the present invention, a bottle may be provided toaxially define a top portion, a middle portion, and a bottom portionalong a longitudinal axis thereof.

In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, a bottlemay include a body and at least one storage. The body is arranged todefine an interior for containing a fluid therein, to define the top,middle, and bottom portions, and to define an opening which is providedin the top portion and in one end thereof and through which a fluid maybe filled to the interior and dispensed to an exterior thereof. Thestorage is arranged to have at least two opposing ends therealong and tobe also fluidly separated from the interior except through the ends. Theabove body is to be referred to as the “first body” hereinafter, whilethe above storage is to be referred to as the “first storage”hereinafter. The storage is also arranged to extend from the top portionwhile forming one of the ends therein to one of the middle and bottomportions while forming another of the ends therein.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, abottle may include the first body, a lid, and the first storage. The lidis arranged to releasably couple to the opening, and to open and closethe opening for providing a fluid communication between the interior andexterior. Such a storage is arranged to extend from the lid whileforming one of the ends therein to one of such middle and bottomportions while forming another of the ends therein. Such a lid is to bereferred to as the “first lid” hereinafter.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, abottle may include the first body, an applicator, and the first storage.The applicator is arranged to be releasably coupled to the opening forcontacting with a mouth of a user, and to open and close such an openingfor providing a fluid communication between the interior and exterior.The storage is also arranged to extend from the applicator while formingone of the ends therein to one of such middle and bottom portions whileforming another of the ends therein. The above applicator is to bereferred to as the “first applicator” hereinafter.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, abottle may include the first body, the first storage, and at least onepathway which is arranged to extend from one of the ends of the storageto one of the middle and bottom portions. The above pathway is to bereferred to as the “first pathway” hereinafter.

In another aspect of the present invention, another bottle may beprovided to axially form a top portion, a middle portion, and a bottomportion along a longitudinal axis thereof and may include multiplechambers fluidly separated therebetween.

In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, such abottle may include the first body, the first storage, and at least oneseal which is arranged to be disposed in one of such middle and bottomportions, to prevent a fluid communication to the interior therethroughwhen intact, and to be removable for providing the fluid communicationtherethrough. The storage is also arranged to be disposed in the topportion and to fluidly couple with the seal by one of the above ends,thereby fluidly separated from the interior when the seal is intact andforming the communication to the interior as the seal is removed. Theabove seal is to be referred to as the “first seal” hereinafter.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, abottle may include the first body, the first lid, the first storage, andthe first seal. Such a storage is arranged to be fluidly coupled to thelid by one of the ends and to fluidly couple with the seal by another ofthe ends, thereby fluidly separated from the interior when the seal isintact and forming the communication to the interior as the seal isremoved.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, abottle may include the first body, the first applicator, the firststorage, and the first seal. The storage is arranged to fluidly coupleto the applicator by one of the ends and to fluidly couple to the sealby another of the ends, thereby fluidly separated from the interior whenthe seal is intact and forming the communication to the interior as theseal is removed.

In another aspect of the present invention, a bottle may be provided todefine a top portion, a middle portion, and a bottom portion along alongitudinal axis thereof and may be releasably or fixedly incorporateat least one medium including at least one of at least one biologicallyactive agent and at least one biologically inert filler, where the agentand/or filler may produce gas when contacting a fluid to be stored inthe bottle, may maintain a dimension of the medium upon and during thecontacting, and the like.

In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, such abottle may include the first body, the first storage, the medium whichis arranged to be stored in such a storage, and at least one seal whichis arranged to be incorporated into the top portion, to prevent a fluidcommunication to the interior therethrough when intact, and to beremovable to form the fluid communication therethrough, where such aseal is to be referred to as the “second seal” hereinafter. The storageis also arranged to be incorporated in the top portion, to be fluidlycoupled to the seal with one of the ends, to be fluidly separated fromthe interior by the seal when intact, and to provide such communicationas the seal is removed. In one example, the medium is arranged to remainin the storage when the seal is removed, thereby forming thecommunication in the top portion. In another example, the storage isarranged to extend down to one of the middle and bottom portions, andthe medium is arranged to move to one of the middle and bottom portionsalong the storage after the seal is removed, thereby forming such fluidcommunication in such one of the middle and bottom portions. In anotherexample, the storage is also arranged to extend down to one of themiddle and bottom portions, where such a seal is arranged to move to oneof the middle and bottom portions along the storage for being removed,and the medium is arranged to remain in the top portion after the sealis removed, thereby forming such communication in the top portion. Inanother example, the storage is arranged to extend down to one of themiddle and bottom portions, where the seal is arranged to move to one ofsuch middle and bottom portions along the storage in order to beremoved, while the medium is further arranged to move to such one of themiddle and bottom portions with the seal, thereby forming thecommunication in such one of the middle and bottom portions.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, abottle may include the first body, the first storage, the medium whichis arranged to be stored in the storage, the first seal, and so on. Sucha storage is arranged to extend from the top portion down to one of themiddle and bottom portions, to fluidly couple with the seal with one ofsuch ends, to be fluidly separated from the interior by the seal whenintact, and to form the communication as the seal is removed. In oneexample, the medium is also arranged to remain in the top portion whenthe seal is removed, thereby forming the communication in the topportion. In another example, the medium is instead arranged to move toone of the middle and bottom portions along the storage after the sealis removed, thereby forming the fluid communication in such one of themiddle and bottom portions.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, abottle may include the first body, the first lid, the first storage, themedium which is arranged to be stored in the storage, and the secondseal. The storage is arranged to be incorporated in the top portion, tobe fluidly coupled to the lid by one of such ends, to fluidly couplewith the seal by another of the ends, to be fluidly separated from theinterior by the seal when intact, and to form the communication when theseal is removed. In one example, the medium is arranged to remain insidethe storage when the seal is removed, thereby forming such communicationin the top portion. In another example, the storage is arranged toextend down to one of the middle and bottom portions, and the medium isalso arranged to move to one of the above middle and bottom portionsalong the storage after the seal is removed, thereby providing suchcommunication in such one of the middle and bottom portions. In anotherexample, such a storage is arranged to extend down to one of the middleand bottom portions, where such a seal is arranged to move to one of themiddle and bottom portions along the storage to be removed, while such amedium is arranged to remain in the top portion after the seal isremoved, thereby providing the communication in the top portion. Inanother example, the storage is arranged to extend down to one of suchmiddle and bottom portions, where such a seal is arranged to move to oneof the middle and bottom portions along the storage in order to beremoved, and the medium is also arranged to move to such one of themiddle and bottom portions with the seal, thereby forming thecommunication in such one of the middle and bottom portions.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, abottle may include the first body, the first lid, the first storage, themedium which is arranged to be stored in the storage, and the firstseal. The storage is also arranged to extend from the top portion downto one of the middle and bottom portions, to fluidly couple to the lidin one of the ends, to fluidly couple with the seal in another of theends, to be fluidly separated from the interior by the seal when intact,and then to form the fluid communication when the seal is removed. Inone example, the medium is arranged to remain in the top portion whenthe seal is removed, thereby forming such communication in the topportion. In another example, the medium is arranged to move to one ofthe middle and bottom portions along the storage after the seal isremoved, thereby forming such communication in such one of the middleand bottom portions.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, abottle may include the first body, the first applicator, the firststorage, the medium which is arranged to be stored in the storage, andthe second seal. The storage is arranged to be disposed in the topportion, to fluidly couple with the applicator in one of such ends, tofluidly couple with the seal in another of such ends, to be fluidlyseparated from the interior by the seal when intact, and to form thecommunication when such a seal is removed. In one example, the medium isarranged to remain in the storage as the seal is removed, therebyforming the communication in the top portion. In another example, thestorage is arranged to extend down to one of the middle and bottomportions, where the medium is arranged to move to one of the middle andbottom portions along the storage after the seal is removed, therebyproviding such communication in such one of the middle and bottomportions. In another example, such a storage is arranged to extend downto one of the middle and bottom portions, where such a seal is arrangedto move to one of the middle and bottom portions along the storage inorder to be removed, while such a medium is arranged to remain in thetop portion when the seal is removed, thereby forming such fluidcommunication in the top portion. In another example, the storage isarranged to extend down to one of the middle and bottom portions, wherethe seal is arranged to move to one of the middle and bottom portionsalong the storage in order to be removed, and where the medium is alsoarranged to move to such one of the middle and bottom portions with theseal, thereby forming the communication in such one of the middle andbottom portions.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, abottle may include the first body, the first applicator, the firststorage, the medium which is arranged to be stored in the storage, andthe first seal. Such a storage is also arranged to extend from the topportion down to one of the middle and bottom portions, to fluidly couplewith the applicator with one of the ends, to fluidly couple to the sealwith another of the ends, to be fluidly separated from the interior bythe seal when intact, and to form the communication when the seal isremoved. In one example, the medium is arranged to remain in the topportion as the seal is removed, thereby forming the communication in thetop portion. In another example, the medium is arranged to move to oneof the middle and bottom portions along the storage after the seal isremoved, thereby forming such communication in such one of the middleand bottom portions.

In another aspect of the present invention, such a bottle may beprovided to axially define a top portion, a middle portion, and a bottomportion along a longitudinal axis thereof and to also releasably orfixedly including at least one medium therein.

In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, such abottle may include the first body, the first storage, the medium, and atleast one seal. The first storage is arranged to extend from the topportion to any of the top, middle, and bottom portions, and the mediumis arranged to be stored in the storage and also in the top portion. Theseal is arranged to prevent a fluid communication to the interiortherethrough when intact, and to be removable and form the fluidcommunication therethrough, where such a seal is to be referred to asthe “third seal” hereinafter. In one example, the seal is also arrangedto be incorporated into the top portion, to receive such user input, andthen to be removed in response thereto, where the storage is arranged tocouple to the seal in one of the ends, while such a medium is arrangedto be fluidly separated from the interior by the seal when intact, tomove to one of the middle and bottom portions after the seal is removed(or by removing the seal) as a response to the input, and to provide thecommunication in such one of the middle and bottom portions. In anotherexample, the seal is arranged to be incorporated into one of the middleand bottom portions, to receive the user input, and to be removed inresponse thereto, where the storage is arranged to be coupled to theseal in one of the ends, while the medium is also arranged to be fluidlyseparated from the interior by the seal when intact, to move to such anyof the portions, and then to provide the communication in such any ofthe portions after the seal is removed in response to the input. Inanother example, such a seal is arranged to be incorporated into one ofthe middle and bottom portions, to receive the user input, and to beremoved in response thereto, where the medium is arranged to includetherein at least one of at least one biologically active agent and atleast one biologically inert filler, where at least one of the agent andthe filler is capable of producing gas upon contacting a fluid to bestored in the bottle, maintaining at least one dimension of the mediumupon and during the contacting, and so on, where the storage is arrangedto couple with the seal in one of the ends, and where the medium isarranged to be fluidly separated from the interior by the seal whenintact and to provide such communication in such any of the portionsafter the seal is removed in response to the input.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, abottle may include the first body; the first storage, the medium, andthe first seal. The first storage is arranged to extend from the topportion to any of the top, middle, and bottom portions, while the mediumis arranged to be stored in the storage and in the top portion. In oneexample, the storage is arranged to be coupled to the seal in one of theends, while the medium is arranged to receive the user input, to befluidly separated from the interior by the seal when intact, to move toone of the middle and bottom portions, and to form the communication insuch one of the middle and bottom portions by removing the seal thereinin response to the input. In another example, such a medium is arrangedto include therein at least one biologically active agent and/or atleast one biologically inert filler, where the agent and/or the filleris also capable of producing gas upon contacting a fluid to be stored inthe bottle, maintaining at least one dimension of the medium on andduring the contacting, and the like, where the storage is arranged tocouple with the seal in one of the ends, and where the medium isarranged to receive such user input, to be fluidly separated from theinterior by the seal when intact, and to provide the communication insuch any of the portions by removing the seal in response to the input.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, abottle may include the first body, the first storage, the medium, thethird seal, and at least one actuator. The first storage is alsoarranged to extend from the top portion to any of the top, middle, andbottom portions, and the medium is arranged to be stored in the storageand in the top portion. The actuator is arranged to receive the userinput, to operatively couple with the seal, and to remove the seal inresponse to the input. In one example, the seal is arranged to beincorporated into the top portion, where the storage is arranged tocouple with the seal in one of the ends, while the medium is alsoarranged to be fluidly separated from the interior by the seal whenintact, to move to one of the middle and bottom portions when the sealis removed by the actuator in response to the input, and to provide thecommunication in such one of the middle and bottom portions. In anotherexample, the seal is arranged to be incorporated into one of the middleand bottom portions, where the storage is arranged to couple with theseal in one of the ends, and where the medium is arranged to be fluidlyseparated from the interior by the seal when intact, to move to such anyof the portions, and to provide the communication in such any of theportions after the seal is removed by the actuator in response to theinput. In another example, the seal is arranged to be incorporated intoone of the middle and bottom portions, where the medium is arranged toinclude at least one biologically active agent and/or at least onebiologically inert filler, where the agent and/or filler is capable ofproducing gas upon contacting a fluid to be stored in the bottle,maintaining at least one dimension of the medium upon as well as duringthe contacting, and the like, where the storage is arranged to couplewith the seal in one of the ends, and where the medium is arranged to befluidly separated from the interior by the seal when intact and to formthe communication in such any of the portions after the seal is removedby the actuator in response to the input.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, abottle may include the first body, the first storage, the medium, thefirst seal, and at least one actuator. The first storage is alsoarranged to extend from the top portion to any of the top, middle, andbottom portions, and the medium is arranged to be stored in the storageand in the top portion. The actuator is arranged to receive the userinput, to operatively couple with the seal, and to remove the seal inresponse to the input. In one example, the storage is arranged to coupleto the seal in one of the ends, and the medium is arranged to be fluidlyseparated from the interior by the seal when intact, to also move to oneof the middle and bottom portions, and to form the communication in suchone of the middle and bottom portions by the actuator in response to theinput. In another example, the medium is arranged to include at leastone biologically active agent and/or at least one biologically inertfiller, where the agent and/or filler is also capable of producing gasupon contacting a fluid to be stored in the bottle and/or maintaining atleast one dimension of the medium upon and during the contacting, wherethe storage is arranged to be coupled to the seal in one of the ends,and where the medium is arranged to receive the user input, to befluidly separated from the interior by the seal when intact, and then toprovide the communication in such any of the portions by removing theseal in response to the input.

In another aspect of the present invention, such a bottle may beprovided to axially form a top portion, a middle portion, and a bottomportion along its longitudinal axis and to releasably or fixedlyincorporate at least one medium including therein at least onebiologically active agent and/or at least one biologically inert filler,where the agent and/or filler is capable of producing gas whencontacting a fluid to be stored in the bottle, maintaining at least onedimension of the medium upon and during the contacting, and the like.

In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, such abottle may include the first body, the first storage, and at least onemedium which is arranged to be stored inside such a storage. The storageis arranged to extend from the top portion while forming one of the endstherein to one of the middle and bottom portions while forming anotherof the ends therein.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, abottle may include the first body, the first lid, the first storage, andat least one medium which is arranged to be stored inside the storage.The storage is also arranged to extend from the lid while forming one ofthe ends therein to one of the middle and bottom portions while forminganother of the ends therein.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, abottle may include the first body, the first applicator, the firststorage, and at least one medium which is arranged to be stored in thestorage. Such a storage is arranged to extend from the applicator whileforming one of the ends therein to one of the middle and bottom portionswhile forming another of the ends therein.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, abottle may include the first body, the first storage, at least onemedium which is arranged to be stored in the storage, and the firstpathway. An entire portion of the first storage is also arranged to bedisposed in the top portion.

In another aspect of the present invention, a bottle may be alsoprovided to axially define a top portion, a middle portion, and a bottomportion along its longitudinal axis, to include multiple chambersfluidly separated therebetween, and to releasably or fixedly havetherein at least one medium having at least one biologically activeagent and/or at least one biologically inert filler. The agent and/orfiller may be capable of producing gas upon contacting a fluid to bestored inside the bottle, maintaining at least one dimension of themedium upon and during the contacting, and the like.

In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, such abottle may include the first body, the first storage, at least onemedium which is arranged to be stored in the storage, and at least oneseal. The seal is arranged to be disposed in one of the middle andbottom portions, to block a fluid communication between the interior andmedium therethrough when intact, and to be also removable for providingthe fluid communication therethrough. The storage is arranged to bedisposed in the top portion and to fluidly couple to the seal by one ofthe ends, thereby fluidly separating the medium from the interior by theseal when intact and defining the communication when the seal isremoved. Such a seal is to be referred to as the “fourth seal”hereinafter.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, abottle may include the first body, the first lid, the first storage, atleast one medium which is arranged to be stored in the storage, and thefourth seal. The storage is also arranged to fluidly couple to the lidin one of the ends and to also fluidly couple with the seal in anotherof the ends, thereby fluidly separating the medium from the interior bythe seal when intact and forming the communication when the seal isremoved.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, abottle may include the first body, the first applicator, the firststorage, at least one medium which is arranged to be stored in thestorage, and the fourth seal. Such a storage is arranged to fluidlycouple with the applicator in one of the ends and to fluidly couple tothe seal in another of the ends, thereby fluidly separating the mediumfrom the interior by the seal when intact and forming the communicationwhen the seal is removed.

In another aspect of the present invention, a bottle may also beprovided to axially form a top portion, a middle portion, and a bottomportion along a longitudinal axis thereof and to contain a fluid fillingthe middle and bottom portions in an upright position of the bottle.

In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, such abottle may include the first body, at least one medium, and at least oneseal. Such a medium is arranged to be disposed in the top portion, to beincorporated in one of inside the interior and between the interior andexterior, and then to include therein at least one antioxidant whichdissolves and/or disperses into the fluid when mixed therewith. The sealis arranged to be disposed in any of the portions, to fluidly separatethe medium from the fluid when intact, and to be removable for formingfluid communication between the medium and fluid in any of the portions.Such a medium is to be referred to as the “first medium” hereinafter,while the above seal is to be referred to as the “fifth sea;”hereinafter.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, abottle may include the first body, the first medium which is alsoarranged to produce gas when mixed with the fluid, and the fifth seal sothat bubbles of the gas are arranged to promote dissolution ordispersion thereof in the fluid.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, abottle may include the first body, at least one medium, the fifth seal,and so on. The medium is arranged to be disposed in the top portion, tobe disposed inside the interior and/or between the interior andexterior, and to have therein at least one antioxidant as well as atleast one filler, where the antioxidant is arranged to be dissolved (ordispersed) in the fluid when mixed therein (to be referred to as the“second medium” hereinafter), while the filler is arranged to generategas when mixed with the fluid. Therefore, bubbles of such gas arearranged to promote dissolution (or dispersion) of the antioxidant intothe fluid.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, such abottle may include the first body, the second medium where at least aportion of the filler is arranged to not be dissolved (or dispersed)into the fluid, and the fifth seal. Therefore, the portion of the filleris arranged to maintain at least one dimension of the medium while theantioxidant dissolves (or disperses) into the fluid.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, abottle may include the first body, the first medium in which theantioxidant and/or filler may leave multiple paths along which the fluidflows, and the fifth seal such that the paths left by the dissolving (ordispersing) antioxidant are arranged to promote dissolution (ordispersion) thereof in the fluid.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, abottle may include the first body, the second medium where at least aportion of the filler is arranged to dissolve (or disperse) in the fluidwhile forming multiple paths along which the fluid flows, and the fifthseal. Accordingly, the paths left by the dissolving (or dispersing)filler are arranged to promote dissolution (or dispersion) of theantioxidant in the fluid.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, abottle may include the first body, the first medium which are arrangedto define a density different from a density of the fluid, and the fifthseal. Therefore, an apparent density of the medium is arranged to changeduring dissolution (or dispersion) thereof in the fluid.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, abottle may include the first body, the second medium where the filler isarranged to define a density different from a density of at least one ofthe antioxidant and fluid, and the fifth seal. Therefore, an apparentdensity of the medium is arranged to change during dissolution (ordispersion) of the antioxidant and/or filler into the fluid.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, abottle may include the first body, the first medium which is alsoarranged to define a refractive index and/or a color different fromthose of the fluid, and the fifth seal. Thus, an extent of dissolution(or dispersion) of the antioxidant in the fluid is visualized by such anindex and/or color of the antioxidant in the fluid.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, abottle may include the first body, the second medium where the filler isarranged to also define a refractive index and/or a color different fromthose of at least one of the antioxidant and fluid, and the fifth sealso that an extent of dissolution (or dispersion) of the antioxidantand/or filler is visualized by such at least one of the index and/orcolor of at least one of the antioxidant and filler in the fluid.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, abottle may include the first body, the first medium, the fifth seal, andat least one mesh which is arranged to be disposed along thecommunication and to prevent a particle which is included in the mediumand defines a dimension beyond a preset value from flowing thereacrossfrom the interior to the exterior.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, abottle may include the first body, the first medium, the fifth seal, andat least one retainer which is arranged to enclose therein a substantialportion of the medium and to prevent a particle which is included in themedium and has a dimension beyond a preset value from flowingthereacross from the interior to the exterior.

Embodiments of such apparatus aspects of the present invention mayinclude one or more of the following features, while configurationaland/or operational variations and/or modifications of the foregoingbottles also fall within the scope of the present invention.

The storage may be disposed in any of the top, middle, and bottom(portions) of such a bottle, and the storage may be disposed in any ofthe top, middle, and bottom (portions) of the body as well. The storagemay extend from one of the portions across another of the portions. Anentire portion of the storage may be disposed in the interior of thebottle or, alternatively, the storage may be disposed across theinterior and exterior of the bottle. The storage may be disposed in theexterior of the bottle and may be coupled to the interior by at least aportion thereof. The storage may store therein a single medium ormultiple media therein.

Such a storage may include a single chamber storing therein a singlemedium or multiple media, where the chamber may be disposed in one ofthe top, middle, and bottom (portions) of the bottle. The chamber mayextend from one of the portions across another of the portions. In thealternative, such a storage may include multiple chambers each of whichmay store therein a single medium or multiple media. All of the chambersmay be disposed in one of such portions, or at least two of the chambersmay be disposed in at least two of the portions. Such chambers maydefine the same shape and/or size or, in the alternative, definedifferent shapes and/or sizes. The chambers may be disposed side by sideor concentrically. The chambers may be disposed in a series or parallelarrangement relative to the fluid. Such chambers may share a common sealor may be incorporated with individual seals. The chambers may be opento the same portion of the bottle or to different portions thereof.

The storage may include a single pathway which may be shaped and/orsized for moving the medium therethrough, to move the coupler and thento transmit such user input therethrough, and the like. The pathway mayextend along a straight axis or along a curved axis, and may furtherbifurcate into multiple branches. The pathway may extend betweendifferent locations of the same portion of the bottle. The pathway mayextend from one of the top, middle, and bottom (portions) onto anotherof the portions. An entire portion of the pathway may be disposed in theinterior or such a pathway may extend from the exterior to the interior.The storage may include multiple pathways which may extend to the sameportion or different portions of the bottle. The pathways may alsodefine the same shape and/or size or have different shapes and/or sizes.Such pathways may be disposed side by side or concentrically. Thepathways may be disposed parallel to each other, vertical to each other,or at an angle. At least two of the pathways may merge into a singlepathway. The pathways may share a common seal or may be incorporatedwith individual seals. The pathways may be open to the same portion ofthe bottle or to different portions thereof.

The seal may be disposed in any of the top, middle, and bottom(portions) of the bottle or may be disposed in any of the top, middle,and bottom (portions) of the body. The seal may be disposed in top ofthe body and to be removable by moving to one of the middle and bottomof the body. The seal may be disposed in one of the middle and bottom ofthe body and to be removable while disposing in the one of the middleand bottom thereof. The seal may be disposed in one of the middle andbottom of the body and to be removable while moving to the other of themiddle and bottom thereof. The seal may bulge to the interior, may bulgeto the exterior, may stay after being removed. The seal may be disposedhorizontally, vertically or at an angle in the upright position beforebeing removed, and may be removed horizontally, vertically or at anangle. The seal may be made of and/or include a material which is notpresent in the body. The seal may be made of and/or include a materialwhich may also be present in the body but may define a thickness lessthan that of the body. The seal may be made of and/or include plastics,glasses, metals, papers, composites thereof, and the like. The storagemay include a single seal or multiple seals, where multiple seals mayhave an identical shape and/or size or different shapes and/or sizes.Multiple seals may be removed by the same mechanism or by differentmechanisms. Multiple seals may be removed along the same direction oralong different directions.

The medium may stay in the chamber or may move out of the chamber or maymove out of the chamber by its own weight or by the user input. Themedium may move out of the chamber vertically or along the pathway. Themedium may stay in the middle or bottom after the seal is removed due toa size of the medium relative to a size of a removed portion of theseal, due to a density of the medium, due to an orientation of themedium with respect to a gravitational force, and the like. The mediummay move from one of such top, middle and bottom portions to the otherof such middle and bottom portions after the seal is removed due to asize of the medium with respect to a size of a removed portion of theseal, due to a density of the medium, due to an orientation of themedium relative to a gravitational force, due to the user input appliedthereto, and the like. The medium may sink in the fluid during suchmixing (i.e., dissolution and/or dispersion), float on the fluid duringthe mixing, first sink in the fluid and then float in the fluid duringthe mixing, first float in the fluid and then sink in the fluid duringthe mixing, and the like. The medium may include the antioxidant whichmay be heavier than the filler which may be insoluble to the fluid suchthat an apparent density of the medium may decrease during the mixing.The medium may instead include the antioxidant which may be lighter thanthe filler which may then be insoluble into the fluid so that anapparent density of the medium may increase during the mixing. Themedium may form therein at least one void such that an apparent densityof the medium may increase as the antioxidant (and/or filler) may bemixed in the fluid and that the void may coalesce into the fluid.Further details of the medium, its agents, and/or fillers have alreadybeen provided in the co-pending applications.

The actuator may operatively couple with and remove the seal in responseto the user input. The actuator may include the coupler which maytransmit the user input to the seal and/or medium to remove the seal.The coupler may maintain an amplitude and/or direction of the user inputfrom one to the other ends thereof or may vary the amplitude and/ordirection therealong. Such an actuator may define at least one sharpedge for cutting the seal, may define at least one dull edge forbursting open the seal, and the like. The medium may define the sharpand/or dull edges for breaking the seal upon receiving the input forcefrom the actuator. The actuator may translate and/or rotate the sealbetween at least two positions. The seal may be a part of the actuatorand directly receive the user input to be removed. The user input may bea vertical or horizontal force, a torque, and the like. The user inputmay be applied in a two- or three-dimensional plane.

The bottle may include multiple media which may be identical to eachother and disposed in the same portion of the bottle, may includemultiple media at least one of which may be different from the restthereof and disposed in the same portion thereof, may also includemultiple media at least one of which may be different from the restthereof and disposed in different portions thereof, and the like. Thebottle may include multiple media at least two of which may includedifferent antioxidants, at least two of which may include differentfillers, at least one of which may not include any filler, at least oneof which may not include any antioxidant, and the like. The bottle maydefine multiple openings in the top or define the opening in the top orin bottom. The bottle may have at least one auxiliary opening in thetop, middle, and/or bottom (portion) which is not for dispensing thefluid therethrough but instead for receiving therethrough the medium,seal, chamber, pathway, storage, and the like. The bottle may include anoptional taper, handle, and the like.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method may be provided forforming at least two sections separated by at least one removable sealin a bottle, where such a bottle defines an interior separated from anexterior thereof by a body of the bottle and also defines an opening forreceiving and dispensing a fluid therethrough.

In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, a methodmay have the steps of: defining a top portion, a middle portion, and abottom portion along a longitudinal axis of such a bottle (to bereferred to as the “first defining” hereinafter); forming at least onestorage in the top portion (to be referred to as the “first forming”hereinafter); fluidly extending the storage to one of the middle andbottom portions (to be referred to as the “first extending”hereinafter); punching at least one hole in the storage in at least oneof all of the portions (to be referred to as the “first punching”hereinafter); removably sealing the hole with the seal, thereby formingthe sections thereacross (to be referred to as the “first sealing”hereinafter); and removing the seal, thereby fluidly communicating sucha storage and interior through the hole.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, amethod may have the steps of: the first defining; the first defining;the first extending; punching at least one hole in the storage in atleast one of such middle and bottom portions (to be referred to as the“first punching” hereinafter); the first sealing; and breaking the seal,thereby fluidly communicating the storage and interior through the hole.The breaking may be replaced by the step of: moving such a seal to oneof such middle and bottom portions, thereby fluidly communicating thestorage and interior through the hole.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, amethod may have the steps of: the first defining; fluidly extending suchan opening to one of the middle and bottom portions (to be referred toas the “second extending” hereinafter); forming at least one storagealong the extending and in the top portion (to be referred to as the“second forming” hereinafter); first punching; the first sealing; andbreaking the seal, thereby fluidly communicating the storage andinterior through the hole. The breaking may be replaced by the step of:moving the seal to one of the middle and bottom portions along theextending, thereby fluidly communicating the storage and interiorthrough the hole.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, amethod may have the steps of: the first defining; the first defining;the first extending; first punching; the first sealing; and breaking theseal in the one of such middle and bottom portions, thereby fluidlycommunicating the storage and interior through the hole. The breakingmay be replaced by the step of: moving the seal to one of all of theportions, thereby fluidly communicating the storage and interior throughthe hole.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, amethod may have the steps of: the first defining; the first defining;fluidly extending the storage to the middle portion; punching at leastone hole in the storage in the middle portion; the first sealing; andremoving the seal in the middle portion, thereby forming a fluidcommunication between the storage and interior through the hole in themiddle portion.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, amethod may have the steps of: the first defining; the first defining;fluidly extending the storage to the bottom portion; punching at leastone hole in the storage in the bottom portion; the first sealing; andremoving the seal in the bottom portion, thereby forming a fluidcommunication between the storage and interior through the hole in thebottom portion.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method may be provided forincluding a medium in and/or on a bottle while separating the mediumfrom an interior of the bottle by at least one removable seal, where thebottle defines an interior which is separated from an exterior thereofby a body of the bottle and also defines an opening for receiving anddispensing a fluid therethrough.

In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, a methodmay have the steps of: the first defining; storing the medium in the topportion (will be called as the “first storing” hereinafter); fluidlyconnecting the medium to one of the middle and bottom portions (to bereferred to as the “first connecting” hereinafter); punching at leastone hole in one of such middle and bottom portions (to be referred to asthe “second punching” hereinafter); removably sealing the hole by such aseal, thereby sealing the medium from the interior (to be referred to asthe “second sealing” hereinafter); and then breaking the seal, therebyfluidly communicating the medium and interior through the hole.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, such amethod may have the steps of: the first defining; the first storing;fluidly connecting the medium to one of the top, middle, and bottomportion (to be referred to as the “second coupling” hereinafter);punching at least one hole in at least one of all of the portions (to becalled to as the “third punching” hereinafter); the second sealing; andthen moving the seal to one of such middle and bottom portions, therebyfluidly communicating the medium and interior through the hole.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, amethod may have the steps of: the first defining; the first storing; thefirst connecting; the second punching; the second sealing; moving themedium to one of such middle and bottom portions; and breaking the sealwith the medium, thereby providing a fluidly communication between themedium and interior through the hole.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, amethod may have the steps of: the first defining; the second extending;storing the medium along the above extending and in the top portion;punching at least one hole along the above extending and in one of themiddle and bottom portions; the second sealing; and breaking such aseal, thereby fluidly communicating the medium and interior through thehole. The breaking may be replaced by the step of: moving the seal toone of the middle and bottom portions along the extending, therebyfluidly communicating the medium and interior through the seal.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, amethod may have the steps of: the first defining; the second extending;storing the medium along the above extending and in the top portion;punching at least one hole along the above extending and in one of themiddle and bottom portions; the second sealing; moving the medium to oneof such middle and bottom portions; and then breaking the seal by themedium, thereby fluidly communicating the medium and interior with thehole.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method may be provided forincluding a medium in a bottle while separating the medium from aninterior of the bottle by at least one seal and removing the seal, wherethe interior is separated from an exterior thereof by a body of thebottle and where the bottle defines an opening for receiving anddispensing a fluid therethrough.

In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, a methodmay have the steps of: the first defining; storing the medium in atleast one of in and on the body and in the top portion (to be called toas the “second storing” hereinafter); the first connecting; the secondpunching; the second sealing; and applying a user input to the sealwhile breaking the seal, thereby fluidly communicating the medium andinterior through the hole.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, amethod may have the steps of: the first defining; the second storing;fluidly connecting the medium to the top portion; punching at least onehole in the top portion; the second sealing; and applying a user inputonto the seal while moving the seal to one of the middle and bottomportions, thereby fluidly communicating the medium and interior throughthe hole.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, amethod may have the steps of: the first defining; the second extending;storing the medium along the above extending and in such a top portion;the third punching; the second sealing; and applying a user input tosuch a seal while moving the seal to one of such middle and bottomportions along the above extending, thereby fluidly communicating themedium and interior by the hole.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, such amethod may have the steps of: the first defining; the second storing;the first connecting; the second punching; the second sealing; andapplying a user input onto the seal while moving the seal to another ofall of the portions, thereby fluidly communicating the medium andinterior through the hole.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, amethod may have the steps of: the first defining; the second storing;the second coupling; the third punching; the second sealing; applying auser input to the medium; and moving the seal to another of the middleand bottom by the medium, thereby providing a fluid communicationbetween the medium and interior through the hole.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, amethod may have the steps of: the first defining; the second extending;storing the medium along the above extending and in such a top portion;the third punching; the second sealing; applying a user input to themedium; and moving the seal toward another of the middle and bottomportions by the medium along the extending, thereby fluidlycommunicating the medium and interior through the hole.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method may be provided forforming at least two sections separated by at least one removable sealin a bottle, where such a bottle defines an interior separated from anexterior thereof by a body of the bottle and also defines an opening forreceiving and dispensing a fluid therethrough and where the bottle hasat least one medium incorporated in one of the sections and separatedfrom the interior by the seal.

In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, a methodmay have the steps of: the first defining; the second storing; the firstconnecting; the second punching; the second sealing; and breaking theseal, thereby fluidly communicating the medium and interior through thehole.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, amethod may have the steps of: the first defining; the second storing;the second coupling; the third punching; the second sealing; and thenmoving the seal to one of the middle and bottom portions, therebyfluidly communicating the medium and interior through the hole.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, amethod may have the steps of: the first defining; the second extending;storing the medium along the above extending and in such a top portion;the second punching; the second sealing; and then breaking such a seal,thereby fluidly communicating the medium and interior through the hole.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, amethod may have the steps of: the first defining; the second extending;storing the medium along the above extending and in such a top portion;the third punching; the second sealing; and then moving the seal to oneof the middle and bottom portions along the extending, thereby fluidlycommunicating the medium and interior through the hole.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, such amethod may have the steps of: the first defining; the second storing;the first connecting; the second punching; the second sealing; andbreaking the seal in such one of the middle and bottom portions, therebyproviding a fluid communication between the medium and interior throughthe hole. The breaking may be replaced by the step of: moving the sealto one of all of the portions, thereby fluidly communicating the mediumand interior through the hole.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, amethod may have the steps of: the first defining; the second storing;fluidly connecting the medium to the middle portion; punching at leastone hole in the middle portion; the second sealing; and removing theseal in the middle portion, thereby forming a fluid communicationbetween the medium and interior through the hole in the middle portion.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, amethod may have the steps of: the first defining; the second storing;fluidly coupling the medium to the bottom portion; punching at least onehole in the bottom portion; the second sealing; and removing the seal inthe bottom portion, thereby forming a fluid communication between theinterior and exterior through the hole in the bottom portion.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method may be provided forforming at least one storage in a bottle with an interior separated froman exterior thereof by a body of the bottle and with an opening forreceiving and dispensing a fluid therethrough, where the storage isseparated from the interior by at least one removable seal and where thebottle includes at least one medium.

In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, a methodmay have the steps of: the first defining; the first defining; storingsuch a medium in the storage (to be referred to as the “third storing”hereinafter); punching at least one hole in the storage; the secondsealing; and removing such a seal, thereby fluidly communicating themedium and interior through the hole in the storage.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, such amethod may have the steps of: the first defining; the first defining;the first extending; the third storing; the first punching; the secondsealing; and breaking the seal, thereby fluidly communicating the mediumand interior through the hole in the storage. The breaking may bereplaced by the step of: moving the seal to one of such middle andbottom portions, thereby fluidly communicating the medium and interiorthrough the hole in the storage.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, such amethod may have the steps of: the first defining; the second extending;the second forming; the third storing; first punching; the secondsealing; and then breaking the seal, thereby fluidly communicating themedium and interior through the hole in the storage. The breaking may bereplaced by the step of: moving the seal to one of the middle and bottomportions along the above extending, thereby fluidly communicating themedia and interior through the hole in the storage.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, amethod may have the steps of: the first defining; the first defining;the first extending; the third storing; punching at least one hole inthe storage; the second sealing; and breaking the seal, thereby fluidlycommunicating such medium and interior through the hole in the storage.The breaking may be replaced by the step of: moving the seal to anotherof all of the above portions, thereby fluidly communicating the mediumwith the interior through the hole in the storage.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method may be provided forincluding a medium in or on a bottle while separating the medium from afluid which is contained in an interior of the bottle by at least oneremovable seal, where the interior is separated from an exterior thereofby a body of the bottle and also defines an opening for receiving anddispensing a fluid therethrough.

In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, a methodmay have the steps of: the first defining; the second storing; the firstconnecting; the second punching; the second sealing; and breaking theseal, thereby mixing the medium with the fluid. The breaking may bereplaced by the steps of: moving the medium to one of the middle andbottom portions; and breaking the seal with the medium, thereby mixingthe medium with the fluid.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, amethod may have the steps of: the first defining; the second storing;the second coupling; the third punching; the second sealing; and movingthe seal to one of the middle and bottom portions, thereby mixing themedium with the fluid.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, amethod may have the steps of: the first defining; the second extending;storing the medium along the above extending and in such a top portion;the second punching; the second sealing; and then breaking the seal,thereby mixing the medium with the fluid.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, amethod may have the steps of: the first defining; the second extending;storing the medium along the extending and in one of all of theportions; the second punching; the second sealing; and moving the sealtoward one of the middle and bottom portions along the extending,thereby mixing the medium with the fluid. The breaking may be replacedby the steps of: moving the medium to one of the middle and bottomportions; and breaking the seal by the medium, thereby mixing the mediumwith the fluid.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method may be provided forincluding at least one medium in a bottle and separating the medium froma fluid which is to be contained in an interior of the bottle by atleast one seal and removing the seal for mixing the fluid and medium,where such a bottle defines an interior separated from an exteriorthereof by a body of the bottle and includes an opening for receivingand dispensing a fluid therethrough.

In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, a methodmay have the steps of: the first defining; the second storing; the firstconnecting; the second punching; the second sealing; and then applying auser input to the seal while breaking the seal, thereby mixing themedium with the fluid. The applying may be replaced by the step of:applying a user input onto the seal while moving the seal to another ofall of the portions, thereby mixing the medium with the fluid.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, amethod may have the steps of: the first defining; the second storing;fluidly connecting the medium to the top portion; punching at least onehole in the top portion; the second sealing; and then applying a userinput to the seal while moving the seal to one of the middle and bottomportions, thereby mixing the medium with the fluid.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, amethod may have the steps of: the first defining; the second extending;storing the medium along the above extending and in such a top portion;the third punching; the second sealing; and then applying a user inputto the seal while moving the seal to one of the middle and bottomportions along the above extending, thereby mixing the medium with thefluid.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, amethod may have the steps of: the first defining; the second storing;the second coupling; the third punching; the second sealing; applying auser input to the medium; and moving the seal to another of the middleand bottom by the medium, thereby mixing the fluid with the medium. Themoving may be replace by one of the steps of: moving the seal towardanother of the middle and bottom portions by the medium along theextending, thereby mixing the medium with the fluid; and moving the sealto another of all of the portions by the medium, thereby mixing themedium with the fluid.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method may be provided forincluding at least one medium and a fluid in a bottle while separatingsuch a medium from the fluid by at least one removable seal, where thebottle forms an interior separated from an exterior thereof by a body ofthe bottle and defines an opening for receiving and dispensing the fluidtherethrough.

In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, a methodmay have the steps of: the first defining; the second storing; thesecond coupling; the third punching; the second sealing; and removingthe seal for mixing the medium and fluid in one of the middle and bottomportions.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, amethod may have the steps of: the first defining; the second extending;storing the medium along the above extending and in such a top portion;the third punching; the second sealing; and removing the seal for mixingthe medium and fluid in one of the middle and bottom portions.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, amethod may have the steps of: the first defining; the second storing;preventing the top portion from transmitting ultraviolet rays; thesecond coupling; the third punching; the second sealing; and thenremoving the seal for mixing the medium and fluid in another of the allof the portions.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method may be provided forincluding at least one medium and a fluid in a bottle while separatingsuch a medium from the fluid by at least one removable seal, where thebottle forms an interior separated from an exterior by a body of thebottle and forms an opening for receiving and dispensing therethroughthe fluid and where the medium produces gas when mixed with the fluid.

In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, a methodmay have the steps of: the first defining; the second storing, where themedium is capable of producing the gas; the second coupling; the thirdpunching; the second sealing; and removing the seal for mixing themedium and fluid in one of the middle and bottom portions, therebyproducing the gas by the medium.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, amethod may have the steps of: the first defining; the second extending;storing the medium along the above extending and in such a top portion,where such a medium is capable of producing such gas; the thirdpunching; the second sealing; and then removing the seal for mixing themedium and fluid in one of such middle and bottom portions, therebyproducing the gas by the medium.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method may be provided forincluding at least one medium and a fluid in a bottle while separatingsuch a medium from the fluid by at least one removable seal, where thebottle forms an interior separated from an exterior by a body of thebottle and forms an opening for receiving and dispensing therethroughthe fluid and where the medium includes at least one filler which isinsoluble to the fluid.

In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, a methodmay include the steps of: the first defining; defining at least onedimension of the medium by the filler; the second storing; the secondcoupling; the third punching; the second sealing; and removing the sealfor mixing the medium and fluid in one of the middle and bottomportions, thereby maintaining the dimension of the medium.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, amethod may have the steps of: the first defining; defining at least onedimension of the medium by the filler; the second extending; storing themedium along the extending and in the top portion; the third punching;the second sealing; and then removing the seal for mixing the medium andfluid in one of such middle and bottom portions, thereby maintaining thedimension of the medium.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method may be provided forincluding at least one medium and a fluid in a bottle while separatingsuch a medium from the fluid by at least one removable seal, where thebottle forms an interior separated from an exterior by a body of thebottle and forms an opening for receiving and dispensing therethroughthe fluid and where the medium includes therein at least one substancesoluble to the fluid.

In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, a methodmay have the steps of: the first defining; distributing the substance in(or across) the medium in an arrangement for forming a path for thefluid while dissolving (or dispersing) in the fluid; the second storing;the second coupling; the third punching; the second sealing; andremoving the seal for mixing the medium and fluid in one of the middleand bottom portions, thereby forming the path for promoting thedissolution (or dispersion).

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, amethod may have the steps of: the first defining; distributing thesubstance in or across the medium in an arrangement for forming a pathfor the fluid while dissolving (or dispersing) into such fluid; thesecond extending; storing such a medium along the extending and in thetop portion; the third punching; the second sealing; and then removingthe seal for mixing the medium and fluid in one of the middle and bottomportions, thereby forming the path for promoting the dissolution (ordispersion).

Embodiments of such method aspects of the present invention may includeone or more of the following features, and configurational and/oroperational variations and/or modifications of the above methods alsofall within the scope of the present invention.

The defining such portions may include at least one of the steps of:including in the top portion a lid, an applicator, and a part of thebody immediately below the lid and applicator; including in the topportion the lid, applicator, and another part of the body close to,immediately above, and/or immediately below a meniscus of the fluidcontained in the bottle in its upright position, and the like. Thedefining the portions may include at least one of the steps of: dividinga rest of the bottle equally into the middle and bottom portions;allocating the bottom (or middle) portion longer than the middle (orbottom) portion; tapering the middle and/or bottom portions; includingin the bottom portion a flat bottom surface of the bottle, and the like.

The punching the hole may include one of the steps of: defining such ahole through an upright part of the body; and forming the hole on a partof the body protruding into (or out of) the interior. The forming thehole may also include at least one of the steps of: orienting the holeto face up; orienting the hole to face down; orienting the hole to facethe axis; orienting the hole to face the axis at a preset angle, and thelike. The punching may include one of the steps of: sizing the hole tobe greater than at least one dimension of the medium; sizing the hole tobe less than any dimension of the medium; sizing the hole to be betweena greatest dimension and a least dimension of the medium, and the like.Such punching may include one of the steps of: defining the hole in onlyone of such portions; and defining the hole across at least two of theportions. Such punching may include one of the steps of: making the holefrom the interior toward the exterior; and making the hole from theexterior toward the interior. The punching may include the step of:providing multiple holes. The providing the holes may include at leastone of the steps of: arranging the holes to have identical, similar ordifferent shapes and sizes; arranging the holes symmetrically orasymmetrically; disposing the holes side by side or angularly, and thelike. The providing such holes may also include one of the steps of:defining all of the holes in only one of the portions; defining theholes in at least two of the portions; and defining each of the holes indifferent portions.

The sealing the hole may include one of the steps of: irreversiblysealing the hole such that the seal is not reusable once removed; andreversibly sealing the hole so that the seal is able to seal the holeagain after the seal is removed. The sealing the hole may include one ofthe steps of: covering the hole from the interior to the exterior;covering the hole from the exterior onto the interior; covering the holeboth from the interior and exterior; covering the hole thereacross; andcovering the hole in the interior. The sealing the hole may include oneof the steps of: movably covering the hole in a vertical, horizontal ortransverse direction; fixedly covering the hole, and so on. The sealingthe hole may also include at least one of the steps of: employing theflap-type seal to open and close the hole; using the seal with an O-ringto travel along and/or around the hole; movably attaching the seal overthe hole to travel thereover; and fixedly attaching the for a singleuse. The sealing the hole may include one of the steps of: covering thehole in only one of the portions; and covering the hole across at leasttwo of the portions. The sealing the hole may include one of the stepsof: making the seal of the same or similar material as the body; makingthe seal of a material different from that of the body, and the like.The sealing the hole may include one of the steps of: arranging the sealto be thinner than the body; and arranging the seal to be thicker thanthe body. The sealing the hole may include one of the steps of:employing a single seal for the sealing; using multiple seals for thesealing, and the like. The using such seals may include at least one ofthe steps of: using multiple identical, similar or different seals;disposing the seals symmetrically or asymmetrically; arranging the sealsangularly or side by side, and the like. The using the seals may includeone of the steps of: movably covering the hole by moving the seals inthe same, similar or different directions; fixedly covering the holewith the seals; and movably covering the hole by at least one of theseals while fixedly covering the hole by the rest of the seals.

Such breaking may include one of the steps of: cutting the seal;bursting the seal, and the like. The cutting may include at least one ofthe steps of: using a sharp object for the cutting; and using a sharpedge of the medium for the cutting. The bursting may include at leastone of the steps of: using a dull object for the bursting; and using adull edge of the medium for the bursting. The breaking may include oneof the steps of: moving the object and/or medium toward the seal; movingthe seal toward the object and/or medium; and moving both of seal andobject and/or medium toward each other. The moving the seal, object ormedium may include at least one of the steps of: rotating the seal,object or medium along an angular track; translating the seal, object ormedium in a curvilinear track; pivoting the seal, object or medium abouta center of rotation, and the like. The breaking may include at leastone of the steps of: breaking the seal from the exterior to theinterior; breaking the seal from the interior to the exterior; breakingthe seal from one part to another part of the interior, and the like.The breaking may include at least one of the steps of: breaking a centerof the seal; breaking an edge of the seal; and breaking along or arounda periphery of the seal. The moving the seal may include one of suchsteps of: translating the seal over or below and away from the hole in acurvilinear track; translating the seal between and away from the holesin a curvilinear track; rotating such a seal over or below and away fromthe hole along an angular track; rotating such a seal between and awayfrom the holes along an angular track; pivoting the seal over or belowand away from the hole about a center of rotation, and the like. Themoving the seal may include at least one of the steps of: moving theseal along a plane in which the hole is defined; moving the seal in acurvilinear direction transverse to the plane, and so on. The moving theseal may include at least one of the steps of: moving the seal away fromthe hole and from the exterior to the interior; moving the seal awayfrom the seal and from the interior toward the exterior; moving the sealaway from the hole and from one part to another part of the interior,and the like. The moving the seal may include at least one of the stepsof: moving the seal from a center toward an edge of the hole; moving theseal from the edge to the center of the hole; moving along a spiraltrack inwardly or outwardly of the hole, and so on. The moving such aseal may include at least one of the steps of: sliding the seal over orbelow the hole without changing a shape of the seal; stacking such aseal while moving away from the hole; folding the seal while moving awayfrom the hole; and rolling the seal while moving away from the hole. Themoving may be followed by the step of: restoring the seal. The removingmay include at least one of the above breaking and moving. Such removingmay include one of the steps of: performing only one of the breaking andthe moving; and performing the breaking and moving sequentially orsimultaneously. Such removing may include one of the steps of: breakingall of the multiple seals; moving all of the multiple seals; andbreaking some of the seals while moving the rest of the seals. Theremoving may include one of the steps of: cutting all of the multipleseals; bursting all of the multiple seals; cutting some of the sealswhile bursting the rest of the seals, and the like.

The forming the storage may include at least one the steps of: formingat least one chamber on the body and bulging outward; forming thechamber on the body and bulging inward; and forming the chamber in theinterior of the bottle. The forming the storage may include one of thesteps of: making the storage of the same or similar material as thebody; and making the storage of a material different from that of thebody. The forming the storage may include one of the steps of: arrangingthe storage to be thinner than the body; arranging the storage to bethicker than the body, and so on. The forming the storage may includeone of the steps of: providing the storage as an unitary articleincluding such a seal; and providing the hole in the storage which is tobe sealed by the seal. The providing the hole may include at least onethe steps of: orienting such a hole downward or upward; orienting thehole to the axis of the body; orienting the hole at an angle withrespect to the axis, and so on. The forming the storage may also includeone of the steps of: providing the storage in only one of the portions;and extending the storage across at least two of the portions. Theextending the storage may include at least one the steps of: forming thestorage along the axis; forming the storage across the axis, and thelike. The forming the storage may include one of such steps of:arranging the storage wider than the body; arranging the storagenarrower than the body, and the like. The forming the storage mayinclude one of the steps of: providing the storage and body as anunitary article; movably attaching the storage onto the body; fixedlyattaching the storage onto the body, and the like. The forming thestorage may include one the steps of: providing the storage and seal asan unitary article; movably attaching the seal to the storage; fixedlyattaching the seal to the storage, and the like. The forming the storagemay include at least one the steps of: coupling such a storage to thebody in the interior; coupling the storage to the body in the exterior;coupling the storage to the lid and/or applicator, and the like.

Such extending may include one of the steps of: elongating or expandingat least a part of the body; elongating or expanding at least a part ofthe storage; elongating or expanding at least a part of the lid and/orapplicator, and the like. The extending may include the steps of:forming the pathway as a separate article; attaching the pathway to thebody, storage, lid, and/or applicator, and the like. The extending mayinclude one of the steps of: extending through only one of the portions;extending into at least two of the portions, and the like. Suchextending may include one of the steps of: extending between theinterior and exterior; extending between different parts of theinterior, and the like. The extending may include at least one of thesteps of: arranging the medium to move along the pathway; arranging theseal to move therealong; and arranging the fluid to move thereinto. Theextending may include one of the steps of: incorporating the seal intoat least one end of the pathway; including the seal along the pathway;and providing the pathway without any seal.

The storing may include one of the steps of: movably including themedium through only one of the portions; movably including the mediumthrough at least two of the portions; confining the medium in one of theportions, and the like. Such storing may include one of the steps of:containing a single medium; and including multiple media. The includingsuch media may then include one of the steps of: including the mediainside a single storage; including the media in multiple storages, andthe like. The including the media may include one of the steps of:including such media in only one of the portions; and including themedia in at least two different portions. The including the media mayinclude one of the steps of: disposing the media to mix in the fluidsequentially; and disposing the media to mix in the fluid orsimultaneously.

The applying may include one of the steps of: directly breaking theseal; directly moving such a seal; directly moving the medium, and thelike. The applying may include the steps of: receiving such user input;changing at least one of the amplitude and direction of the input; andthen transmitting the changed input to the seal or medium. The applyingmay include at least one of the steps of: translating the seal or mediumalong a curvilinear track; rotating the seal or medium along an angulartrack; and pivoting the seal or medium about a center of rotation.

The preventing may include at least one of the steps of: including atleast one opaque material in the body and/or storage; coating the mediumwith the material, and so on. The defining may include at least one ofsuch steps of: defining a radius, a length or a width of the medium;defining at least a portion of an external surface of the medium, andthe like. The defining may include at least one of the steps of:disposing the filler in the dimension of the medium; disposing thefiller to form the portion of the external surface thereof, and thelike. The defining may also include at least one of the steps of:retaining the agent on (or above) the filler; and retaining the agentbetween the fillers. The producing gas may include one of the steps of:promoting the mixing by the gas; and visualizing the extent of themixing by such gas. The method may include the steps of: enclosing themedium with a retainer; and maintaining the dimension of the medium bythe retainer. The method may instead include the steps of: incorporatingat least one mesh along the outlet of the bottle; and preventing asubstance defining a dimension beyond a preset value from beingdispensed out of the interior.

In another aspect of the present invention, a bottle may be provided foraxially defining a top portion, a middle portion, and a bottom portionalong a longitudinal axis thereof.

In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, such abottle may be provided by a process including the steps of: providing abody with the top, middle, and bottom portions; providing the body withan interior for containing a fluid therein; providing such a body withan opening which is defined in the top portion and in one end thereofand through which a fluid is filled into the interior and dispensed toan exterior thereof; forming in the top portion at least one storagewhich defines at least two opposing ends therealong (to be referred toas the “first forming” hereinafter); fluidly separating such a storagefrom the interior except through such ends (to be referred to as the“first separating” hereinafter); and extending the storage the topportion to one of the middle and bottom portions while defining one ofsuch ends in the top portion and another thereof in such one of theportions. The first three steps of this embodiment will be referred toas the “first providings” hereinafter.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, abottle may be provided by a process including the steps of: the firstprovidings; providing a lid which is arranged to be releasably coupledto the opening for opening and closing the opening and to also provide afluid communication between the interior and exterior (to be referred toas the “lid providing” hereinafter); the first forming; the firstseparating; and extending the storage from the lid onto one of themiddle and bottom portions while defining one of the ends in the topportion and another thereof in such one of the portions.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, abottle may be provided by a process including the steps of: the firstprovidings; providing an applicator which is instead arranged to contacta mouth of a user, to releasably couple to the opening, and to open andclose the opening for providing a fluid communication between theinterior and exterior (to be called to as the “applicator providing”hereinafter); the first forming; the first separating; and thenextending the storage from the applicator onto one of the middle andbottom portions while forming one of the ends in the top portion andanother thereof in such one of the portions.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, abottle may be provided by a process which includes such steps of: thefirst providings; the first forming; the first separating; and disposingat least one pathway which fluidly couples the pathway with one of themiddle and bottom portions.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, abottle may be provided by a process including the steps of: the firstprovidings; incorporating at least one seal in one of the middle andbottom portions (to be referred to as the “first incorporating”hereinafter); configuring the seal to be a barrier to a fluidcommunication therethrough when intact (to be called to as the “firstconfiguring” hereinafter); and configuring the seal to be removable andto fluidly communicate the interior with the exterior therethrough.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, abottle may be provided by a process including such steps of: the firstprovidings; the first incorporating; the first configuring; andconfiguring the seal to be removable upward, downward or sideways and tofluidly communicate the interior with the exterior therethrough.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, abottle may be provided by a process which includes the steps of: thefirst providings; the first incorporating; the first configuring;configuring the seal for being flush with the body, protruding into theinterior, and/or protruding to the exterior, and to be removable forproviding such fluid communication between the interior and exteriortherethrough.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, abottle may be provided by a process including the steps of: the firstprovidings; the lid providing; operatively coupling the seal with thelid; extending the seal to one of the middle and bottom; the firstconfiguring; and then configuring the seal to be removable for extendingthe communication therethrough.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, abottle may be provided by a process including the steps of: the firstprovidings; the applicator providing; operatively coupling the seal withthe applicator; extending the seal to one of the middle and bottom; thefirst configuring; and configuring the seal to be removable forextending the communication therethrough.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, abottle may be provided by a process which includes the steps of: thefirst providings; the first incorporating; the first configuring;configuring such a seal to be removable as well as to fluidlycommunicate the interior with the exterior therethrough; and thendisposing along the communication at least one mesh capable ofpreventing a particle beyond a preset dimension from flowingthereacross.

In another aspect of the present invention, a bottle may be provided foraxially defining a top portion, a middle portion, and a bottom portionalong a longitudinal axis thereof and including multiple chambersfluidly separated therebetween.

In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, such abottle may be provided by a process which may include such steps of: thefirst providings; the first forming; the first separating; incorporatingat least one seal between the storage and interior and in one of themiddle and bottom portions (to be referred to as the “secondincorporating” hereinafter); configuring the seal to prevent a fluidcommunication therethrough between the interior and storage when intact(to be referred to as the “second configuring” hereinafter); and thenconfiguring the seal to be removable for providing the communicationtherethrough (to be referred to as the “third configuring” hereinafter).

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, abottle may be provided by a process which includes such steps of: thefirst providings; the lid providing; the first forming; the firstseparating; extending the storage from the lid to one of the middle andbottom portions while defining one of the ends in the top portion anddefining another thereof in such one of the portions; the secondincorporating; the second configuring; and the third configuring.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, abottle may be provided by a process including the steps of: the firstprovidings; the applicator providing; the first forming; the firstseparating; extending the storage from the applicator onto one of themiddle and bottom portions while defining one of the ends in the topportion and another thereof in such one of the portions; the secondincorporating; the second configuring; and the third configuring.

In another aspect of the present invention, a bottle may be provided foraxially defining therein a top portion, a middle portion, and a bottomtherealong as well as forming multiple separated portions therein.

In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, such abottle may be provided by a process including such steps of: the firstprovidings; including at least one chamber with a preset volume in oneof the middle and bottom portions (to be referred to as the “firstincluding” hereinafter); operatively coupling the seal with the chamber;the first configuring; and then configuring the seal to be removable forfluidly communicating therethrough the chamber to the interior (to bereferred to as the “fourth configuring” hereinafter).

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, abottle may be provided by a process including the steps of: the firstprovidings; the first including; forming at least a portion of thechamber to be flush with, protruding into the interior, and/orprotruding into the exterior; operatively coupling the seal with thechamber; the first configuring; and the fourth configuring.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, abottle may be provided by a process including such steps of: the firstprovidings; the lid providing; the first including; operatively couplingat least one chamber of a preset volume with the lid; operativelycoupling the seal with the chamber; the first configuring; and thenconfiguring the seal to be removable and to also extend such fluidcommunication therethrough from the exterior to such one of the middleand bottom through the chamber.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, abottle may be provided by a process including such steps of: the firstprovidings; the applicator providing; operatively coupling at least onechamber defining a preset volume with the applicator; operativelycoupling the seal with the chamber; the first configuring; and thenconfiguring the seal to be removable and to also extend such fluidcommunication therethrough from the exterior to such one of the middleand bottom through the chamber.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, abottle may be provided by a process including such steps of: the firstprovidings; the first including; operatively coupling the seal with thechamber; the first configuring; the fourth configuring; and disposingalong the communication at least one mesh which is capable of preventinga particle beyond a preset dimension from flowing thereacross.

In another aspect of the present invention, a bottle may be provided foraxially defining therein a top portion, a middle portion, and a bottomtherealong and also including therein at least one medium which containstherein at least one antioxidant and which is capable of protecting theantioxidant from ultraviolet rays until the medium is mixed with a fluidinto which the antioxidant is to be dissolved (or dispersed).

In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, such abottle may be provided by a process also including the steps of: thefirst providings; the first incorporating; the first configuring;disposing the medium along the communication and in one of the middleand bottom portions, thereby separating the medium and interior; and thefourth configuring, thereby fluidly communicating such a medium with theinterior.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, abottle may be provided by a process which includes the steps of: thefirst providings; the first incorporating; the first configuring;disposing the medium along the communication and in one of the middleand bottom portions, thereby separating the medium from the interior;and then configuring the seal to be removable and to fluidly communicatethe chamber with the interior therethrough while keeping such a mediumtherein, thereby fluidly communicating the medium with the interior insuch one of the middle and bottom portions. The above configuring may bereplaced by the step of: configuring the seal to be removable and tofluidly communicate the chamber with the interior therethrough whilemoving such a medium, thereby fluidly communicating the medium with theinterior in the other of the middle and bottom portions.

More product-by-process claims may be constructed by modifying theforegoing preambles of the apparatus (or bottle) claims and/or methodclaims and/or by appending thereto such bodies of the apparatus (orbottle) claims and/or method claims. In addition, such process claimsmay include one or more of such features of the apparatus (or bottle)claims and/or method claims of this invention.

As used herein, the term “antioxidants” refers to various natural and/orsynthetic substances which are capable of preventing certain oxidationreactions or at least reducing rates of the oxidation reactions. Typicalexamples of natural “antioxidants” are various tocopherols including a-,b-, g-, and d-tocopherols, nordihydroguaretic acid (or NDGA), sesamol,and gossypol, whereas typical examples of synthetic “antioxidants” arebutylated hydroxy-anisole (or BHA), butylated hydroxy-tolune (or BHT),propyl gallate (or PG), and tertiary butyl hydroquinone (or TBHQ). These“antioxidants” are believed to prevent or reduce the oxidation reactionscaused by various reactive oxygen species such hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂),superoxide anion (O₂ ⁻), various free radicals including hydroxylradical (OH.), and the like. Various metal chelators also behave as such“antioxidants,” where examples of such chelators are phosphoric acid,citric acid, ascorbic acid (or vitamin C), ethylene diamine tetraacetate (or EDTA). All of the “antioxidants” disclosed in this paragraphwill be referred to as the “antioxidants” of the first type throughoutthis disclosure.

In addition to the foregoing substances, many more “antioxidants” areknown in various fields of food, medicine, and pharmaceuticalindustries, where the “antioxidants” may be classified as food additive“antioxidants” or nutritional “antioxidants” and where the latter mayfurther be classified as vitamins, vitamin cofactors and minerals,hormones, carotenoid terpenoids, non-carotenoid terpenoids, flavonoidpolyphenolics, phenolic acids and esters, other organic “antioxidants,”and so on. The food additive “antioxidants” may include, but not belimited to, ascorbic acid (or vitamin C), tocopherol andtocopherol-derived compounds, BHA, BHT, EDTA, citric acid, acetic acid,pectin, rosemarinic acid, and the like. Such vitamin “antioxidants” mayinclude, but not be limited to, vitamin A (or retinol), vitamin C (orascorbic acid), and vitamin E including tocotrienol, tocopherol, and thelike. The vitamin cofactors “antioxidants” and mineral “antioxidants”may include, but not be limited to, coenzyme Q10 (or CoQ10), selenium,zinc, manganese (particularly in its 2⁺ valence state and as a part ofan enzyme, superoxide dismutase or SOD), and so on. The hormone such asmelatonin may also operate as the “antioxidant.” The carotenoidterpenoids “antioxidants” may include, but not limited to, lycopene,lutein, a-carotene, b-carotene, zeaxanthin, astaranthin, andcanthaxantin. The non-carotenoid terpenoids “antioxidants” may include,but not be limited to, eugenol, saponin, limonoid, and the like. Theflavonoid polyphenolics “antioxidants” (or biofalvonoids) are a subsetof polyphenyl “antioxidants” and may include falvonoids, flavones,flavanones, falvan-3-ols, isoflavone phytoestrogenes, and anthocyanins.Such flavonoids may also include, but not be limited to, resveratrol,pterostilbene, kaempferol, myricetin, isorhamnetin, proanthocyanidins orcondensed tannins, and the like. The flavones may include, but not belimited to, quercetin, rutin, luteolin, apigenin, tangeritin, and so on.The flavanones may include, but not be limited to, hesperetin,naringenin, and eriodictyol. Such falvan-3-ols or anthocyanidins mayinclude, but not be limited to, catechin, gallocatechin, opicatechin andits gallate forms, epigallocatechin and its gallate forms, theaflavinand its gallate forms, and thearubigin. Isoflavone phytoestrogens mayinclude, but not be limited to, genistein, daidzein, glycitein, and thelike. The anthocyanins may include, but not be limited to, delphinidin,malvidin, pelargonidin, peonidin, petunidin, and the like. The phenolicacids and esters “antioxidants” are a subset of polyphenol“antioxidants” and may include, but not be limited to, ellagic acid,gallic acid, salicylic acid, rosemarinic acid, cinnamic acid includingits derivatives such as ferulic acid, chlorogenic acid, chicolic acid,gallotannin, and ellagitannin. Other organic “antioxidants” may alsoinclude, but not be limited to, citric acid, lignan, antinutrients suchas oxalic acid and phytic acid, bilirubin, uric acid, R-a-lipoic acid,silymarin, N-acetylcysteine, and the like. Other “antioxidants” mayfurther include a-tocopherol, a-tocoquinone, indole, sulforaphane,glucosinate, and the like. All of these “antioxidants” described in thisparagraph will be referred to as the “antioxidants” of the second typethroughout this disclosure.

As used herein, the term “antioxidants” may collectively refer tovarious foods which include any of the “antioxidants” described in theprevious paragraph. Accordingly, such “antioxidants” may include, butnot be limited to, (undutched) cocoa powder, (dark) chocolate, whitetea, green rooibos, green tea, oolong tea, black tea, blueberry,blackberry, raspberry, cranberry, crowberry, kiwi, cherry, plum, grape,pomegranate, papaya, orange, grapefruit, other citrus fruits,cruciferous vegetable such as broccoli, Brussels sprout, cabbage, andkale, artichoke, asparagus, avocado, bean, spinach, red pepper, carrot,(Russet) potato, tomato, olive, various nuts such as walnut, pecan,hazelnut, and the like. Similarly, the term “antioxidants” maycollectively refer to various herbs and spices which may also includeany of the “antioxidants” disclosed in the preceding paragraph, whereexamples of such herbs and spices may further include, but not belimited to, allspice, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, lemon balm, oregano,peppermint, rosemary, sage, thyme, and the like. All of these foods,herbs, fruits, and the like, will be referred to as the “antioxidants”of the third type throughout this disclosure. It is to be understood,therefore, that the terms “antioxidant” and “antioxidants” collectivelyrefer to those of the first, second, and third types, unless otherwisespecified.

As used herein, a term “agent” collectively refers to the aboveantioxidants which have been described in the preceding threeparagraphs. Such an “agent” also refers to other vitamins, minerals,nutrients, herbs, medicinal substances, pharmaceutical substances,and/or homeopathic substances which fall into one or more of followingthree types. First, the “agents of the first type” refer to those whichtend to lose their potency and/or activity and/or which tend to degradeby ultraviolet rays (to be abbreviated as the “UV rays” hereinafter). Incontrary, the “agents of the second type” refer to those which tend tolose their potency or activity and/or which tend to degrade when theyare dissolved in a fluid beyond a preset period of time. In addition,the “agents of the third type” refer to those which tend to formprecipitations and/or aggregates by the UV rays and/or when dissolved ina fluid beyond such a period of time. It is to be understood, however,that the terms “agent” and “agents” collectively refer to those of thefirst, second, and third types, unless otherwise specified.

A “bottle” refers to any rigid or elastic container which may containtherein a preset amount of fluid which may by definition includesuspension, emulsion, slurry, a mixture of liquid and solid, and thelike. The “bottle” may be made of and/or include various polymers orplastics, glasses, metals, papers, ceramics, papers, composite materialsthereof, and the like. Such “bottles” refer not only to portable“bottles” but also to stationary “bottles,” where the portable “bottles”are generally smaller and contain less fluid than the stationary“bottles.” In addition, such “bottles” refer not only to disposable“bottle” but also to other “bottles” which may be used repeatedly.

As used herein, the terms “top,” “middle,” and “bottom” refer todifferent portions of the above bottle which are defined along alongitudinal axis of the bottle. In general, the “top” of the bottlerefers to the portion of the bottle encompassing a lid, an applicator,and a neck of a body of the bottle. In the alternative, the “top” of thebottle refers to a portion of the bottle encompassing the lid, theapplicator, and a portion of the body of the bottle which lies above ameniscus of a fluid in an upright position of the bottle and before useor, alternatively, another portion of the body of the bottle while liesabove a few centimeters below the meniscus in the upright position ofthe bottle and before use. The rest of the body of the bottle definesthe “middle” and “bottom,” where a lower half of the rest of the bottleis the “bottom” of the bottle or the “bottom” of the body, while anupper half of the rest of the bottle is the “middle” of the bottle orthe “middle” of the body.

The term “remove” (and “removing”) collectively refers to “break” (and“breaking”) and “move” (and “moving”) within the scope of thisinvention. More particularly, the term “break” (and “breaking”) refersto “cut” (and “cutting”) and “burst” (and “bursting”), while anotherterm “move” (and “moving”) refers to “open and/or close” (and “opening”and/or “closing”) by “translating,” “rotating” or “pivoting.” The “cut”(and “cutting”) refers to “removing” a seal with a sharp object so thatthe seal is “removed” in a path along which the sharp object is appliedto the seal, while the “burst” (and “bursting”) refers to “removing” aseal with another object which is not so sharp and which tears or breaksthe seal in a path which is not identical to a path along which theobject is applied to the seal. The term “translate” (and “translating”)refers to causing a movement of such a seal along a curvilinear pathwhich is two- or three-dimensional path, the term “rotate” (or“rotating”) refers to causing a rotational movement of a seal along anangular path which is also two- or three-dimensional, and the term“pivot” (or “pivoting”) then refers to causing an arcuate movement of aseal about a center of rotation along an arcuate path which is also two-or three-dimensional.

Unless otherwise defined in the following specification, all technicaland scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonlyunderstood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the presentinvention belongs. Although the methods or materials equivalent orsimilar to those described herein can be used in the practice or in thetesting of the present invention, the suitable methods and materials aredescribed below. All publications, patent applications, patents, and/orother references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in theirentirety. In case of any conflict, the present specification, includingdefinitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, andexamples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following detailed description, and from the claims.

Additional aspects and/or advantages of the invention will be set forthin part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obviousfrom the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and/or other aspects and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent and more readily appreciated from the following description ofthe embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings ofwhich:

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary container ofthe prior art;

FIGS. 2A to 2C are schematic cross-sectional views of an exemplarybottle including a medium in its top portion according to the presentinvention;

FIGS. 3A to 3T are schematic cross-sectional views of various storagesof exemplary bottles according to aspects of the present invention;

FIGS. 4A to 4J are schematic cross-sectional views of various active andpassive seals of the storages of FIGS. 3A to 3T according to aspects ofthe present invention;

FIGS. 5A to 5K are schematic cross-sectional views of the seals brokenby various means in response to user inputs according to aspects of thepresent invention;

FIGS. 6A to 6E are schematic views of the seals moved by various meansin response to user inputs according to aspects of the presentinvention; and

FIGS. 7A to 7I are schematic cross-sectional views of other exemplarybottles including media in their top portions according to aspects ofthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the present embodiments of thepresent invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the like elementsthroughout. The embodiments are described below in order to explain thepresent invention by referring to the figures.

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to bottlescontaining fluids and agents while separating the agents from the fluidsbefore use. More particularly, embodiments of the present inventionrelate to bottles having fluids and various media with such agents,where the media are stored separately from the fluids and then mixedwith the fluids upon actual use. Therefore, while not required in allaspects, embodiments of the present invention relate to various mediawhich contain therein such agents, define shape and size to be stored insuch bottles, and optionally promote dissolution (or dispersion) in thefluids upon mixed therewith, to various storages which are disposed invarious portions of the bottles and which have various shapes and sizesfor storing such media therein, to various chambers which are definedinside the storages and store the media therein, and to various pathwayswhich are also defined around the storages and fluidly connect thechamber of the storage to various portions of the bottles. Embodimentsof the present invention generally relate to various seals which fluidlyseparate the media inside the storages from the fluids in the bottlesbefore consumption and are removed upon use for mixing the media withthe fluids in various portions of the bottles. Embodiments of thepresent invention generally relate to various actuators which receiveuser inputs and then mix the media with the fluids in response theretoby directly removing the seals, by moving the media for removing suchseals, and the like. Embodiments of the present invention generallyrelate to various bottles capable of promoting the mixing between themedia and fluids as well as capable of visualizing extents of suchmixing by various means.

While not required in all aspects, embodiments of the present inventiongenerally relate present invention also relates to various methods ofincluding such media and fluids in the bottles while separating themedia from the fluids before use, and then mixing the media with thefluids upon use. Therefore, embodiments of the present invention relateto various methods of including such agents in the media, those ofmaking the media in appropriate shapes and sizes, and those offabricating the media for promoting the mixing with such fluids. Inaddition, embodiments of the present invention relate to various methodsof forming the storages in various portions of the bottles, those ofextending the storages in the same or to different portions of thebottles, those of storing the media in such storages, and those ofmoving the media between different portions of such storages.Embodiments of the present invention then relate to various methods offluidly sealing the media from the fluids, those of removing the sealingfor mixing the media with the fluids upon use, those of breaking thesealing for the mixing, and those of moving the sealing for the mixing.Embodiments of the present invention also relate to various methods ofreceiving such user inputs by various portions of the bottles, those ofreceiving the inputs by the storages or their chambers and/or pathways,those of directly removing the sealing by the user inputs, and those ofindirectly removing such sealing by the media which are actuated by theuser inputs. Embodiments of the present invention also relate to variousmethods of promoting the mixing between the media and fluids and thoseof visualizing the extents of such mixing by various means.

Embodiments of the present invention further relate to various processesfor providing the bottles capable of separating such media from thefluids before use and then mixing the media with the fluids only uponactual use. Therefore, embodiments of the present invention relate tovarious processes for fabricating such media containing the agentsand/or fillers therein in proper shapes and/or sizes, those forproviding various bodies of such bottles defining various portions andstoring such media in such portions. Embodiments of the presentinvention also relate to various processes for incorporating thestorages in various portions of such bottles, those for defining thechambers and/or pathways in such storages, those for defining and/orextending such chambers and/or pathways in various portions of thebottles, and those for providing the seals in various portions of thechambers and/or pathways of the storages or in various portions of thebodies of such bottles. Embodiments of the present invention also relateto various processes for fabricating such seals removable by variousmeans, those for providing the actuators capable of breaking such sealsin response to the user inputs, those for providing the actuatorscapable of moving such seals in response thereto, those for fabricatingthe actuators receiving the user inputs and removing such seals indirect response thereto, and those for fabricating the actuatorsreceiving the user inputs and then actuating the media which remove suchseals in response thereto. Embodiments of the present invention furtherrelate to various processes for fabricating such bottles capable ofpromoting the mixing between the media and fluids and those forproviding the bottles capable of visualizing the extents of the mixingby various means.

Various aspects and embodiments of such bottles, methods thereof, andprocesses therefor of the present invention will now be described moreparticularly with reference to the accompanying drawings and text, wheresuch aspects and/or embodiments thereof only represent different forms.Such bottles, methods, and/or processes of this invention, however, maybe embodied in many other different forms and, accordingly, should notbe limited to such aspects and/or embodiments which are set forthherein. Rather, various exemplary aspects and embodiments describedherein are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough andcomplete, and fully convey the scope of this invention to one ofordinary skill in the relevant art.

Unless otherwise specified, it is to be understood that various members,units, elements, and parts of various bottles of the present inventionare not typically drawn to scales and/or proportions for ease ofillustration. It is also to be understood that such members, units,elements, and/or parts of various bottles of the present inventiondesignated by the same numerals may typically represent the same,similar, and functionally equivalent members, units, elements, and partsthereof, respectively.

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary container ofthe prior art, where a container 5 is generally divided along itslongitudinal axis 10A into a top portion (or simply a “top”) 10T, amiddle portion (or a “middle”) 10M, and a bottom portion (or a “bottom”)10B. Such a container 5 also includes a body 20, an applicator 30, and alid 40. Such a body 20 is divided into the top portion 10T, middleportion 10M, and bottom portion 10B, where the top portion 10T of thebody 20 forms a narrow opening 22 in its mouth 20M which then extendsdownward while forming a neck 20N along a preset length, where themiddle portion 10M of the body 20 includes a taper 20T which starts fromthe neck 20N and gradually widens into an upper belly 20L, and where thebottom portion 10T of the body 20 includes a lower belly 20L connectedto the upper base 20U and terminates at a base 20B which then enclosesthe body 20. Accordingly, such a body 20 is generally hollow and definesan interior of the container 5 which is separated from an exteriorthereof and open to the exterior through the opening 22. The lid 40,which belongs to the top portion 10T of the container 5, is thenarranged to releasably couple with the neck 20N of the body 20 and toclose the opening 22. The applicator 30, which also belongs to the topportion 10T of the container 5, includes a fluid path 34 and an outlet22, where the fluid path 34 is formed along a longitudinal directionfrom a bottom to a middle thereof and where the outlet 32 is rotatablydisposed on the top of thereof. In addition, the applicator 30 is alsoarranged to be inserted through the opening 22 so as to seal theinterior of the body 20 (or container 5) from the exterior when theoutlet 32 is misaligned with the path 34 and then to open the interiorto the exterior when the outlet 32 is pivoted and aligned with the path34.

The container 5 is generally used to contain water or other fluids. Forexample, the water (or fluid) is filled into the body 20 of thecontainer 5 till the water (or fluid) fills the bottom and then middleportions 10B, 10M thereof. The applicator 30 is then inserted throughthe opening 22 while misaligning its outlet 32 with its path 34 so as tomaintain the fluid sealing between the exterior and the water (or fluid)inside the body 20. The lid 40 is then placed on top of the applicator40, and a bottled water (or fluid) is distributed for consumption.

As described above, such a conventional bottled water is not providedwith any provision for protecting various agents from sunlight or itsultraviolet rays (or simply as “UV rays” hereinafter), from a prolongedperiod of dissolution (or dispersion) of such agents in the water (orfluid), from forming a precipitate, and the like.

Accordingly and in one aspect of the present invention, a novel bottleis provided to include at least one medium and at least one fluid whilenot only fluidly separating the medium including various agents from thefluid but also protecting the agents of the medium from the UV rays.FIGS. 2A to 2C are schematic cross-sectional views of an exemplarybottle which includes a single medium in its top portion whileprotecting the medium from a fluid contained in its interior beforeactual use according to the present invention. As depicted in FIGS. 2Ato 2C, an exemplary bottle 10 is generally similar to the conventionalcontainer of FIG. 1 in that the bottle 10 defines the top, middle, andbottom portions along its longitudinal axis, in that the bottle 10includes the body 20, applicator 30, and lid 40, in that the body 20 issimilarly divided into the top, middle, and bottom portions, in that thetop portion includes the lid 40, applicator 30, and neck of the body 20,in that the middle portion includes the taper and upper belly, in thatthe bottom portion includes the lower belly and base, and the like. Sucha bottle 10 also includes an actuator 50 which includes therein a medium60 and is also filled with a fluid 70 which is generally water or otherdrinkable fluids.

More particularly, the actuator 50 includes a storage 54 which includesa removable seal 53, a pathway 54W, a pair of stoppers 58, and the like.The pathway 54W typically extends from a bottom of the applicator 30down to the bottom portion of the bottle 10. A top of the pathway 54W iscoupled to the bottom of the applicator 30 in a manner to fluidlyseparate the storage 54 from the interior of the body 20 or bottle 10 sothat the fluid 70 does not get into the storage 54 when the bottle 10 isslanted or disposed upside down. A bottom of the pathway 54W issimilarly fluidly separated from the fluid 70 by covering a bottom endof the storage 54 by the removable seal 53. In addition, the remainingparts of the pathway 54W defines a nonporous structure. Therefore, aninner lumen of the storage 54W is fluidly separated from the interior ofthe body 20 and the fluid 70 contained in the bottle 10. In general, thestorage 54 may define various cross-sectional shapes which may or maynot coincide with that of the applicator 30, where the storage 54 ofthis embodiment forms a circular cross-section. Inside the storage 54 isdisposed the medium 60 which is disposed in a very top part thereof aswell as the top portion of the bottle 10. A pair of (or more than two)stoppers 58 are disposed immediately below the medium 60 in order tosupport and to retain the medium 60 in the top portion. The stoppers 58are also arranged to retain its shape up to a preset force or momentumin order to retain the medium 60 therein against accidental orunintended impact exerted thereonto by the medium 60. A foldable handle51 is also disposed on a top end of the applicator 30 and mechanicallycouples with a top of the medium 60.

As described above, each medium 60 contains various biologically orpharmaceutically active agents, a typical example of which is anantioxidant defined hereinabove. When such an antioxidant tends todegrade when exposed to the UV rays, the medium 60 is preferably coatedby various fillers capable of blocking the UV rays from penetrating intothe media 60. Alternatively and/or in conjunction with the opaquecoating, an upper portion of the storage 54 and/or applicator 30 mayalso be made of and/or includes materials which block such UV rays frompenetrating therethrough, thereby protecting the medium 60 from therays.

In operation and as shown in FIG. 2A, a user obtains the bottle 10 whichis filled with the fluid 70 in its bottom and middle portions and whichincludes the medium 60. In this stage, the medium 60 is disposed insidethe storage 54 and, accordingly, fluidly separated from the interior ofthe bottle 10 (or body 20) as well as from the fluid 70 by various partsof the storage 54. Upon use and as exemplified in FIG. 2B, the userremoves the lid 40 from the rest of the bottle 10 by rotating the lid 40in a counter-clockwise direction. After removing the lid 40 from thebody 20, the user reaches the handle 51 of the actuator 50 disposed ontop of the applicator 30 and lifts the handle 51 by pivoting such byabout 90°. In this stage, the medium 60 is still fluidly separated fromthe interior of the bottle 10 and from the fluid 70. As exemplified inFIG. 2C, the user applies user input by pressing down the handle 51through the applicator 30 in a vertical direction. In response to suchuser input, the handle 51 begins to descend, while pressing the media 60which is abutted by the stoppers 58 along the same direction. When theuser input exceeds mechanical modulus of the stoppers 58, the medium 60presses and opens such stoppers 58. As the user further presses thehandle 51, the handle 51 travels by its length, and the medium 60 movesbeyond the stoppers 58, and freely drops vertically along the pathway54W, which is arranged to be wider than a diameter or a width of themedium. Because of a weight of the medium 60 as well as a momentum itattains during its vertical drop, the medium 60 hits the seal 53, tearsopen such a seal 53, and contacts the fluid 70.

Depending upon its density, the medium 60 sinks into the base of thebottle 20 or floats on the fluid 70, although a heavier medium 60 may bepreferred to ensure its immersion into the fluid 70 while maximizingcontact between the medium 60 and fluid 70. When the medium 60 formsprotective layers for securing its agents from the UV rays, such coatlayers first contact the fluid 70 and are dissolved (or dispersed) intothe fluid 70. Thereafter, various agents including such antioxidants inthe medium 60 mixes with the fluid 70, i.e., dissolves or dispersestherein. Depending on various characteristics of such agents and/orfillers of the medium 60, the mixing between the medium 60 and fluid 70may be promoted. In this embodiment, the medium 60 includes gassingfillers or gasifiers so that the medium 60 may produce gas bubbles uponcontacting with the fluid 70. The gas bubbles may not only induce forcedconvection of the agents in the fluid 70 but also prevent formation ofconcentration boundary layers around or in the medium 60, therebymaximizing the mixing between the medium 60 and fluid 70. In addition,the gasifiers may be used for carbonating the fluid 70, therebyconverting the fluid 70 into a carbonated beverage.

As disclosed heretofore and will be described hereinafter, variousmedium-containing bottles of the present invention invariably include afew essential elements. The first essential element is a storage whichserves to form a space in which a medium is stored before use. Thesecond essential element is a seal which is disposed on one side of thestorage and fluidly separates the medium from the interior of the bottleand/or fluid filling such before use. The third essential elements is anactuator which receives a user input and removes the seal in responsethereto for fluidly communicating the medium with the interior of thebottle and/or for mixing the medium with the fluid. Following figuresare provided to illustrate selected exemplary embodiments of the aboveessential elements of such bottles of this invention. For example, FIGS.3A to 3T exemplify the storages defining various configurations, FIGS.4A to 4J exemplify the seals actively or passively defined on or alongsuch storages, FIGS. 5A to 5K exemplify such seals which break inresponse to the user inputs, FIGS. 6A to 6E exemplify other seals whichmove in response to the user inputs, and FIGS. 7A to 7F exemplifyvarious bottles which incorporate some of such storages.

It is to be understood, however, that various apparatus, method, andprocess aspects and/or embodiments of such following bottles and theirparts of this invention may be embodied in many other different formsand, therefore, should not be limited to such aspects and/or embodimentswhich are to be set forth herein. Rather, various exemplary aspects andtheir embodiments described hereinafter are provided so that thisdisclosure will be thorough and complete, and fully convey the scope ofthe present invention to one of ordinary skill in the relevant art.

In another aspect of the present invention, the medium-containingbottles of this invention may include various storages for storingtherein one or multiple media therein while fluidly separating suchmedia from the interior of the bottle and/or while preventing such mediafrom mixing with the fluid also contained in such bottles. FIGS. 3A to3T are schematic cross-sectional views of exemplary storages of variousbottles of the present invention. It is appreciated that followingfigures only include relevant portions of the bottles therein and,therefore, that the rest of such bottles are omitted therefrom. Thefollowing figures are also oriented such that their left sidescorrespond to the exterior of such bottles, and their right sidescorrespond to the interior of such bottles. In addition, each storage ofthe figures includes a particular type of a seal which moves betweentheir closed and open positions for sealing and then exposing the mediato the interior of the bottles or fluids contained therein, althougheach of such storages may incorporate other types of seals as will bedisclosed below. Each storage of the figures may also be formed in anyportions of the bottles including their lids and applicators, althoughthe storages of the figures are restricted to those formed on the bodiesof the bottles. In addition, the figures do not include any actuatorsand, therefore, the medium of each storage is presumed to stay thereinafter the seal is removed, although such actuators may be operativelycoupled to the storages and move the media into the interior of thebottles when desirable. Each storage of such figures may also beoriented in any direction so that a storage which may extendhorizontally may be implemented in a different direction into a bottleto form a vertical or slanted storage.

In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention and asexemplified in FIGS. 3A to 3C, each storage 54 is formed on an innerwall of the body 20 by protruding a chamber of the storage 54 into theinterior of the bottle. In one example of FIG. 3A, such a storage 54forms an opening which faces a longitudinal axis of the bottle and issealed by a pair of vertical sliding seals 53. Therefore, as the seals53 slide upwardly and downwardly, a medium 60 tends to stay inside thestorage 54 unless actuated by an actuator. In another example of FIG.3B, a storage 54 defines another opening which faces downward and issealed by a single sliding seal 53. Therefore, when the seal 53 slidesopen, the medium 60 tends to drop downwardly and to move out of thestorage 54 vertically as long as the medium 60 is heavier than the fluidand as long as the seal 53 opens and forms a gap wider than the medium60. In another example of FIG. 3C, a storage 54 forms an opening whichfaces upward and is sealed by a single sliding seal 53. When the seal 53slides open, the medium 60 tends to stay inside the storage 54 unlessactuated by the actuator.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the present inventionand as exemplified in FIG. 3D, a storage 54 is defined on an outer wallof the body 20 by protruding its chamber toward the exterior of thebottle. For example, a storage 54 forms an opening which faces thelongitudinal axis of the bottle and is sealed by a pair of pivotingseals 53. Thus, when the seals 53 pivot inwardly into the interior ofthe bottle, the medium 60 stays inside the storage 54 unless actuated bythe actuator.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention and asexemplified in FIGS. 3E to 3J, each storage 54 may be defined betweenthe inner and outer walls of the body 20 of the bottle or, in thealternative, between the inner or outer wall of the body 20 and anauxiliary wall which may be a part of the storage or a part of theactuator. In one example of FIG. 3E, a storage 54 is formed as a spacewhich is then defined between the walls and sealed by a pair of pivotingseals 53 which are similar to those of FIG. 3D. The storage 54 forms anopening open toward the longitudinal axis of the bottle and, thus, themedium 60 tends to stay in the storage 54 as the seals 53 open, unlessactuated by the actuator. In another example of FIG. 3F, a storage 54 issimilarly formed between the walls but one of the walls is shorter thanthe other. The storage 54 defines an opening which is open upward andsealed by another pair of pivoting seals 53. Thus, when the seals pivotand open, the medium 60 tends to stay inside the storage 54 unlessactuated by the actuator. In another example of FIG. 3G, a storage 54 isdefined between the walls one of which is also shorter than the other.Such a storage 54 forms an opening which is open downward and sealed bya pair of pivoting seals 53. Thus, when the seals pivot and open, themedium 60 tends to drop downward and to move out of the storage 54 whenthe seals 53 form a gap wider than the medium 60. In another example ofFIG. 3H, a storage 54 is similar to that of FIG. 3E, except that achamber of the storage 54 is defined not only by the above opposingwalls of FIG. 3E but also by two partitions extending across such walls.In another example of FIG. 3I, a storage 54 is also similar to that ofFIG. 3G, except that it is defined by a pair of walls both of extendingnot only along and but also beyond an entire height of the storage 54.Such a storage 54 forms an opening which is open downward and alsosealed by a pair of pivoting seals 53 so that the medium 60 drops into agap defined between the walls when the seals 53 open. Accordingly, thegap between the walls is preferably arranged to fluidly communicate withthe interior of the bottle and the fluid contained therein. In anotherexample of FIG. 3J, a storage is similar to that of FIG. 3I, except thatthe storage 54 forms an opening which is open upward. Thus, the medium60 tends to stay inside the storage 54 when the seals 54 pivot and open.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention and asexemplified in FIGS. 3K to 3N, each storage 54 is formed on an innerwall of the body 20 by vertically protruding a chamber of the storage 54into the interior of the bottle. In one example of FIG. 3K, a storage 54forms an opening which is open downward and sealed by a pair of slidingseals 53. Accordingly, as the seals 53 slide and open, the medium 60tends to drop vertically and to move out of the storage 54 as long asthe gap formed between the seals 53 are wider than the medium 60. Inanother example of FIG. 3L, a storage 54 is similar to that of FIG. 3K,except that the storage 54 forms an opening which is open upward. Inanother example of FIG. 3M, a storage 54 extends downward and defines anopening which is open to the longitudinal axis of the bottle and sealedby a single sliding seal 53. Accordingly, the medium 60 tends to stay inthe storage 54 as the seal slides and opens. In another example of FIG.3N, a storage 54 is similar to that of FIG. 3M, except that the storage54 extends upward.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention and asexemplified in FIGS. 3O and 3P, each storage 54 is formed on an outerwall of the body 20 by vertically protruding its camber into theinterior of the bottle. In one example of FIG. 3O, a storage 54 extendsdownward and forms an opening which is open downward and sealed by apair of sliding seals 53. Therefore, the medium 60 tends to dropvertically and moves out of the storage 54 when a gap formed between theseals 53 is wider than the medium 60. In another example of FIG. 3P, astorage 54 is similar to that of FIG. 3O, except that such a storage 54extends upward.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention and asexemplified in FIGS. 3Q and 3R, each storage 54 is formed between a pairof partitions which extend between two walls and couple such walls whichdo not extend in the same elevation, where such walls correspond toupper and lower horizontal walls in the embodiment. In one example ofFIG. 3Q, such a storage 54 is formed between such walls and defines anopening which faces downward and is sealed by a single sliding seal 53.Accordingly, when the seal 53 opens, the medium 60 tends to dropvertically and downward as long as a gap formed by the seal 53 is widerthan the medium 60. In another example of FIG. 3R, a storage 54 issimilar to that of FIG. 3Q, except that the storage 54 defines anopening facing upward. In these aspects, the upper wall of the storage54 of FIG. 3Q corresponds to that of a wider portion of the bottle,while the upper wall of the storage 54 of FIG. 3R corresponds to that ofa narrow portion of the bottle.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention and asexemplified in FIGS. 3S and 3T, each storage 54 is defined between theinner and outer walls of the body 20 of the bottle or, in thealternative, between the inner or outer wall of the body 20 and anauxiliary wall which may be a part of the storage or a part of theactuator. In one example of FIG. 3S, a storage 54 is similar to that ofFIG. 3E, except that an opening of the storage 54 faces downward and isalso covered by a single sliding seal 53. In another example of FIG. 3T,a storage 54 is similar to that of FIG. 3H, except that an opening ofthe storage 54 faces upward.

Various storages of the medium-containing bottles of the presentinvention exemplified in FIGS. 3A to 3T also include followingconfigurational and operational variations and/or modifications thereof,details of which are to be set forth below.

As described above, the storage may consist of at least one chamber, atleast one seal, and at least one optional pathway, where the chamberserves as a space for storing one or more media, where the seal servesto seal the storage against the interior of the bottle and fluidcontained therein, and where the pathway serves to guide the actuator,medium, and/or fluid therealong. In general, the storage may be formedin any of such top, middle, and/or bottom portions of the bottle and/orits body. The storage may be defined in only one of such portions of thebottle (or body) or, in the alternative, may be extended across two ormore portions of the bottle (or body). The storage may be disposedbetween the interior and exterior of the bottle, across the interiorand/or exterior of the bottle, may be preferentially disposed in theexterior of the bottle but still fluidly connected into the interior byat least a portion thereof such as, e.g., its chamber and/or pathway. Inthe alternative, an entire portion of the pathway may be disposed insidethe interior of the bottle. In short, the storage may be incorporated inalmost any location on and in the bottle (or body) as long as such astorage may readily be actuated by the user input.

In particular, the chamber may be defined by bulging into the interiorof the bottle (or body), by bulging into the exterior of the bottle,between the inner and outer walls of the bottle and, accordingly, flushwith the bottle, and the like. The chamber may be incorporated into theinterior and/or exterior of the bottle (or body) vertically,horizontally, at a preset angle, and so on. As to each of thehorizontal, vertical, and angled dispositions, the chamber may definethe opening which may be open downward, upward or sideways, wheredetailed orientation of the opening may be determined by various factorssuch as, e.g., the space available for the opening, detailed mechanismsof the seals for the chamber, and the like. The chamber may definemultiple openings which may be sealed and opened by a single seal orindividual seals.

As exemplified hereinabove, the chamber may be incorporated into the lidand/or applicator of the bottle. Such a chamber may be fixedly attachedthereonto or, in the alternative, may be releasably attached theretosuch that the chamber may be removed after the seal is removed and themedium is mixed with the fluid.

Such a storage may also be shaped and/or sized based upon various designconsiderations. For example, the storage may be shaped and/or sized forcontaining therein a desired number of such media in a desirablearrangement such as, e.g., a vertical disposition, a side-by-sidedisposition, and the like. The shape and/or size of the storage mayfurther be affected by a space available in various portions of thebottle. In addition, detailed mechanisms of the seals may also determineat least in part the actual shape and size of the storage. In short, thestorage may be formed in any desirable shape and size as long as thestorage may fit into the available space of the bottle, may include thedesired number of the media, and may allow the seal to properly closeand open such.

The storage typically defines a single chamber for storing one ormultiple media therein. In the alternative, such a storage may havemultiple chambers each of which includes therein one or multiple media,at least one of which includes one medium or multiple media, and atleast one of which may not include therein any medium. In addition, atleast one of such chambers may instead be used as a line of defenseagainst accidental or unexpected rupture of another chamber. In thisembodiment, the seal may be arranged to seal and then be removed frommultiple chambers in its open and closed positions, respectively. Suchchambers of the storage may be formed in only one of the top, middle,and bottom portions of the bottle (or body) or may be formed in at leasttwo of such portions. In the alternative, at least one chamber may beprovided in each of such top, middle, and bottom portions. At least oneof the chambers may extend across at least two of such portions. Thechambers may also be disposed vertically, horizontally or at a presetangle, may instead be disposed symmetrically or asymmetrically, may bedisposed side by side or concentrically. In addition, such chambers maybe arranged in such a manner that they may fluidly communicate with theinterior of the body and/or may mix with the fluid simultaneously (i.e.,a parallel arrangement) or sequentially (i.e., a series arrangement). Inaddition, such chambers may define the same or similar shapes and/orsizes or at least two of such chambers may define different shapesand/or sizes.

The storage may define at least one optional pathway shaped and sized toallow the medium to move therealong, to receive portion of the coupleror other parts of the actuator therein, to allow the fluid to flowtherein, and the like. It is appreciated that the chamber generallyrefers to a portion of the storage preferentially utilized for storingthe medium therein but that the pathway generally refers to anotherportion of the storage preferentially used to allow such movement of themedium and fluid and/or to allow the passage of the actuator. It is,however, appreciated that the chamber may also be used as the pathwaywhile allowing the medium and/or fluid to move and that the pathway mayalso be used as the chamber by permanently or temporarily store themedium before use.

The pathway may extend along a preset curvilinear track, where such apathway may extend horizontally, vertically or at a preset angle. Thepathway may define the same cross-section along its length or may thecross-section therealong. Such a pathway may be arranged to maintain thesealing between the medium and interior of the bottle and/or fluidcontained therein. In this embodiment, such a pathway preferably definesan enclosed structure. When at least a portion of the pathway is to bedisposed outside the chamber, however, such a portion does not have tobe enclosed, i.e., a portion or an entire portion of the pathway may beopen to the interior of the bottle. In addition, the pathway may extendonly along the exterior, may extend from the exterior into the interior,or may extend only along the interior. In short, such a pathway may haveany shapes and/or sizes and may extend along any desirable path as faras the pathway may move the medium while guiding such from its storageposition to its mixing position, may guide the fluid from the interiorof the bottle into the chamber, may house thereinto a desired portion ofthe actuator, and the like.

As will be described in greater detail below, various seals may also beincorporated along the pathway, where the seals may be disposed on endsof the pathway, along the pathway, and the like. By incorporating suchseals, various parts of the pathway may be arranged to seal against oropen to different portions of the bottle. As exemplified hereinabove,the pathway may be incorporated into the lid and/or applicator of thebottle, where such a pathway may be fixedly attached thereonto or, inthe alternative, may be releasably attached thereto such that thepathway may be removed after the seal is removed and the medium is mixedwith the fluid.

The storage generally includes a single pathway or, in the alternative,the storage may include multiple pathways each of which may extend alongonly one of the top, middle, and bottom portions of the bottle (or body)or may extend through at least two of the portions. In the alternative,at least one pathway may be provided in each of such top, middle, andbottom portions, at least one pathway may extend across all of suchportions. The pathways may also be disposed vertically, horizontally orat a preset angle, may instead be disposed symmetrically orasymmetrically, may be disposed side by side or concentrically. Somepathways may be arranged to bifurcate into multiple branches or mayinstead be merged into a less number thereof. In addition, such pathwaysmay be arranged in such a manner that they may fluidly communicate withthe interior of the body or may mix with the fluid simultaneously (i.e.,a parallel arrangement) or sequentially (i.e., a series arrangement).Such pathways may define the same or similar shapes and/or sizes, atleast two of such pathways may define different shapes and/or sizes, andthe like.

In another aspect of the present invention, the medium-containingbottles of this invention may include various seals which are removablyincorporated into the storages, fluidly separate the media from theinteriors of such bottles or fluids contained therein when intact, andfluidly communicate the media with such interiors or fluids when removeddirectly or indirectly by the actuators in response to the user inputs.FIGS. 4A to 4J show schematic cross-sectional views of various activeand passive seals of various storages according to the presentinvention. It is appreciated that following figures only includerelevant portions of the bottles therein and, accordingly, that the restof such bottles are omitted therefrom. The following figures are alsooriented such that their left sides correspond to the exterior of thebottles, while their right sides correspond to the interior of thebottles. In addition, each seal of the figures is incorporated to aparticular type of a storage which extends from the inner wall of thebottle and forms an opening which is also open to the interior of thebottle, although each of the seals may be incorporated to other types ofstorages as disclosed above. Each seal of such figures may also bedisposed in any positions of the storages in any orientation, althoughvarious seals of the figures are restricted to those verticallyincorporated along the openings of the storages when intact. Inaddition, the figures do not include any actuators and, accordingly, themedium of each storage may be presumed to stay therein after the seal isremoved, although the actuators may operatively couple with the storagesand move the media into the interior of the bottles when desirable.Moreover, each seal of the figures is presumed to move between theiropen and closed positions by the actuators as a response to the userinputs which is to be described in greater detail below, where suchactuators may directly actuate the seals or indirectly actuate suchseals by, e.g., manipulating the media. Each storage of such figures mayalso be oriented along any direction so that a storage which may extendhorizontally may be disposed in a different direction into a bottle toform a vertical or slanted storage.

In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention and asexemplified in FIGS. 4A to 4D, each removable seal 53 is arranged toseal the opening of the storage 54 when intact and then to be broken(i.e., cut or burst) in various modes in response to such user inputs,thereby exposing the opening to the interior of the bottle and/or fluidcontained therein. In one example of FIG. 4A, a single seal 53 isarranged to be broken outward along a periphery of the opening of thestorage 54 so that the seal 53 produces a gap extending from one to anopposing end of the opening when broken. In another example of FIG. 4B,a single seal 53 is arranged to be broken outward in or near a center ofthe opening of the storage 54 so that the seal 53 produces a gapextending from the center toward a periphery of such an opening whenbroken. In another example of FIG. 4C, a single seal 53 is broken in amanner similar to that of FIG. 4A, except that such a seal 53 is pushedinwardly into the opening when broken. In another example of FIG. 4D, asingle seal 53 is broken in a manner similar to that of FIG. 4B, exceptthat the seal 53 is pushed inside the opening when broken.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention and asexemplified in FIGS. 4E to 4J, each removable seal 53 is arranged toseal the opening of the storage 54 when intact and then to move (e.,translate, rotate, pivot, and the like) in response to the user inputs,thereby exposing the opening to the interior of the bottle and/or fluidcontained therein. In one example of FIG. 4E, a single seal 53 isarranged to pivot (or rotate) about a center of rotation defined on (oralong) a periphery of the opening so that the seal 53 produces a gap asize of which is roughly proportional to a distance of an angularmovement of the seal 53. In another example of FIG. 4F, a pair of seals53 are arranged to pivot (or rotate) away from each other about centersof rotation defined on opposing points along (or on) a periphery of theopening such that the seal 53 produces a gap a size of which isproportional to distances of angular movements of such seals 53. Inanother example of FIG. 4G, a single seal 53 is arranged to translateacross the opening so that the seal 53 forms a gap a size of which isdecided by a length of translation of the seal 53. Alternatively, such aseal 53 may be deemed to rotate about a center of rotation defined on aperiphery of the opening, where a direction of the rotation is typicallynormal to the paper, whereas directions of the pivoting movements of theseals of FIGS. 4E and 4F are on the paper. In another example of FIG.4H, a pair of seals 53 are arranged to translate away from each otheracross the opening so that the seals 53 form a gap a size of which aretypically proportion to lengths of translation of such seals. In thealternative, the seals 53 may be deemed to rotate about centers ofrotation defined on opposing points on the periphery of the opening. Inanother example of FIG. 4I, a pair of seals 53 are similar to those ofFIG. 4F, except that the seals 53 are arranged to pivot inwardly intothe opening of the storage 54. It is therefore similarly appreciatedthat such seals 53 of FIGS. 4E to 4H may be arrange to move into theopening when broken. In another example of FIG. 4J, multiple seals 53are arranged to be distributed similar to an arrangement of an iris of acamera when intact. Multiple seals 53 then rotate along angular trackswhile receding from a center of the opening, while forming a gap in thecenter of the opening, where a size of the gap depends upon an extent ofthe angular movements of the seals 53.

Various seals for the storages of the medium-containing bottles of thisinvention exemplified in FIGS. 4A to 4J further include followingconfigurational and operational variations and/or modifications thereof,details of which are to be set forth below.

First, various seals of the medium-containing bottles of the presentinvention may be classified into “active” seals and “passive” seals,where the “active” seals represent those which serve only to seal themedium against the interior of such a bottle and fluid contained thereinwhen intact, whereas the “passive” seals mean those which not onlyfunction to seal the medium but also serve to form the part of the body,lid, or applicator of the bottle. In this aspect, the passive seals mayrefer to those of the bottle which may still be able to function as thepart of the bottle either they are in their closed or open positions.

Such a seal may be disposed in any of the top, middle, and/or bottomportions of the bottle (or body). When the seal is incorporated in onethe middle and bottom portions, the seal may remain in the same portionand removed therein, may move to the other of such portions and removedtherein, may move to the top portion and removed therein. When the sealis incorporated into the top portion of the bottle (or body), however,the seal is to move to the middle or bottom portion and to be removedthere.

When intact, the seal may be shaped to bulge into the interior, bulgeinto the exterior, or extend across the interior or exterior. The sealmay also be disposed to cover the opening of the storage in ahorizontal, vertical or transverse direction. During and/or after beingremoved, such a seal or at least a portion thereof may then bulge intothe interior, bulge into the exterior, or extend across the interior orexterior.

Depending upon the detailed mechanism of removal, the seal may bearranged to have various physical characteristics. When the seal is tobe cut by a sharp object, the seal is preferably made of and/or includesa material which is neither sticky nor gooey material in order to notdeter such cutting. When the seal is to be burst by a dull object, theseal is preferably made of and/or include a material which may ruptureeasily by a puncture. When the seal is to move from its closed positionto its open position, the seal is made of and/or include a rather rigidand stable material in order to ensure proper sealing before beingremoved. In general, the breakable seal may be made of and/or include amaterial which may not be present in the body of the bottle or,alternatively, may be made of and/or include the material which is alsopresent in the body but may have a thickness less than that of the body.Other things being equal, such a seal may be made of and/or includeplastics, glasses, metals, papers, and composites thereof. As long asthe seal may fluidly separate the opening of the storage and then beremoved therefrom by the user input, such a seal may be made of anysuitable materials.

The storage may include a single seal or multiple seals each of whichmay define identical or similar shapes and/or sizes and may seal theopening and be removed therefrom by identical or similar mechanisms.When desirable, at least two of the seals may form different shapesand/or sizes, may operate in different mechanisms, and so on.

TABLE 1 Classification of Detailed Embodiments 2 3 4 Disposition LidApplicator Body Actuator of Medium (A) Application of Lid ApplicatorBody Actuator User Input (B) Direction of Vertical Horizontal HorizontalVertical User Input (C) Translation Translation Torque Torque Mode ofBreak Break Move Actuation (D) (Cut) (Burst) Medium after Move StayActuation (E) Medium Mixing Lid Applicator Body Actuator Position (F)Medium after Move Stay Mixing (G)

Various medium-containing bottles may be constructed by forming one ofthe above storages in or on the bodies of the bottles, incorporatingvarious seals into the storages, and then removing the seals by variousactuators, thereby mixing the medium with the fluid and then dissolvingor dispersing various agents contained in the medium into the fluid. Ingeneral, various medium-containing bottles of the present inventiondiffer from each other in various respects such as, e.g., a dispositionposition of the medium, a location in which the user input is applied, adirection of such input, a mode of actuating the seal, a disposition ofthe medium after actuating the seal, a location in which the medium ismixed into the fluid, a disposition of the medium after mixing, and thelike. Table 1 summarizes classification of detailed embodiments of themedium-containing bottles based on the above respects and locations towhich such respects correspond.

The above Table 1 represents that a specific medium-containing bottlemay be constructed by determining whether the medium is stored in ornear the lid (denoted as “A1”), in or near the applicator (representedby “A2”), in or on the body (denoted as “A3”), and in or near theactuator (represented as “A4”), whether the user input is applied to thelid (denoted as “B1”), to the applicator (denoted as “B2”), to the body(depicted as “B3”), and to the actuator (represented as “B4”), whetherthe input is applied vertically along a curvilinear path (denoted as“C1”), horizontally along another curvilinear path (represented as “C2),as a horizontal torque (referred to as “C3”), and as a vertical torque(depicted as “C4”), whether the actuator cuts the seal by the sharpobject (denoted as “D1”), bursts the seal by the dull object (denoted as“D2”), or moves the seal without breaking (i.e., cutting or bursting)the seal (represented as “D3”), whether the medium moves out of thestorage (represented as “E1”) or stays inside the storage (depicted as“E2”) after actuating (i.e., breaking or moving the seal), whether sucha medium is mixed into the fluid in or near the lid (depicted as “F1”),in or near the applicator (depicted as “F2”), in, on or near the body(depicted as “F3”), and in or near the actuator (represented as “F4”),whether the medium moves out of the storage (depicted as “G1”) or staysinside the storage (referred to as “G2”) after mixing, and the like.Accordingly, when a medium-containing bottle of this invention isrepresented as an A3-B4-C2-D2-E2-F3-G1 type, such codes represent thatsuch a bottle includes the medium in the middle portion of the body,that the user input is applied onto the actuator horizontally so as toburst the seal, that the medium remains inside the storage after theseal is removed, that such a medium mixes into the fluid in the body,and that the medium moves out of the storage after the mixing.

It is appreciated that certain categories of the above classificationdictate or are determined by other categories. For example, when thecategory A (or Ai) of a bottle is not equal to the category of B (or Bi)where i is from 1 to 4, such a bottle requires the actuator in order totransmit such user input from the location of the user input to astorage location of the medium. To the contrary, the bottle may or maynot require the actuator when Ai equals Bi. In another example, thecategory D (or Di) of such a bottle may be determined by the categoriesB and/or C (or Bi and/or Ci) thereof. Therefore, the input directions ofthe category C and the actuating mode of the category D may be chosen soas to satisfy the desirable actuating mode of the category D. In anotherexample, when the category F (or Fi) of a bottle is not equal to thecategory A (or Ai), the medium is to be transported from its storageposition to its mixing position and, therefore, the category E (or Ei)of such a medium is E1, i.e., the medium must move out of the storageafter the actuation, e.g., by using the actuator, by manipulating thedensity of the medium to sink or float the medium in the fluid, and thelike. When the category F (or Fi) of such a bottle equals the category A(or Ai) thereof, the medium stays in its storage position. Accordingly,its category E (or Ei) must be E2, i.e., the medium stays inside thestorage after the seal is removed. In this embodiment, the fluid mayflow into the storage directly through the seal or through the pathwayof the storage. In other embodiments, the categories E and G (or Ei andGi) are independent of each other and generally determined by detailedconfigurations of the storages, medium, and the like. Suchclassification will be employed hereinafter in order to represent eachmedium-containing bottle and/or various parts thereof.

In another aspect of the present invention, the medium-containingbottles of this invention may include various actuators which aremovably coupled to the storages and directly or indirectly break variousseals of such storages. FIGS. 5A to 5K describe schematiccross-sectional views of various actuators for breaking the sealsthrough various mechanisms according to the present invention. It isappreciated that these figures only include relevant portions of thebottles therein and, therefore, that the rest of such bottles areomitted therefrom. The following figures are also oriented such thattheir top sides correspond to the exterior of the bottles, while theirbottom sides correspond to the interior thereof. In addition, theactuator of each figure is incorporated into a particular type of astorage with a particular type of a single seal which extends across ofan opening formed by the storage, although each actuator may also beincorporated into other types of seals and/or storages as disclosedabove. Each actuator of the figures may also be disposed in anypositions of the storages in any orientation, although various seals ofsuch figures are restricted to those horizontally sealing the openingsof the storages when intact. In addition, the actuators of the figures(except FIGS. 5E and 5F) are arranged to break the seals withoutmanipulating the media, although different portions of such actuatorsmay be arranged to actuate the media and to move such out of thestorages. Each storage of the figures may further be oriented along anydirection such that a storage which may extend horizontally in thefigures may be embodied to be disposed in a different direction into abottle so as to form a vertical or slanted storage.

In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention and as shownin FIGS. 5A and 5B, each actuator includes a breaker which is disposedinside a storage and then moves out therefrom in response to a userinput to break a seal. In one example of FIG. 5A, such a breaker 55B isdisposed vertical to the seal 53 and between a medium 60 and a side wallof a storage 54 when intact (refer to the left panel of the figure). Asthe user input is applied to the breaker 55B along a direction verticalto the seal 53 and as exemplified in the left panel of the figure, sucha breaker 55B is arranged to linearly translate (downwardly) and topuncture the seal 53 therethrough. In this embodiment, such a seal 53breaks outwardly from the storage 54 as exemplified in FIGS. 4A and 4B.After the seal 53 breaks, a medium 60 tends to drop vertically and tomove out of the storage 54 as a gap defined by the breaker 55B exceedsthe size of the medium 60. In general, the storage 54 of this embodimentmay be used in the medium-containing bottle of the type A1-A4, B1-B4,C1, E1 or E2, F1-F4, and G1 or G2. In another example of FIG. 5B,another breaker 55B is disposed similar to that of FIG. 5A. In responseto the user input shown in the left panel of the figure, such a breaker55B may be arranged to optionally advance (downwardly) and to rotatealong an angular track while maintaining its position between the medium60 and side wall, until the breaker 55B breaks the seal 53 around aperiphery of an opening of such a storage 54. Similar to that of FIG.5A, the seal 53 tend to break outwardly out of the storage 54. As theseal 53 breaks, a medium 60 drops out of the storage 54 when a gapformed by the breaker 55B exceeds the size of the medium 60. The storage54 of such an embodiment may be used in the bottle of the type A1-A4,B1-B4, C1 or C3, E1 or E2, F1-F4, and G1 or G2.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention and asexemplified in FIGS. 5C and 5D, each actuator similarly includes abreaker which is, however, disposed outside a storage and movesthereinto in response to a user input for breaking a seal. In oneexample of FIG. 5C, a breaker 55B is disposed vertical to the seal 53and outside a storage 54 while facing a periphery of or another pointclose to an opening formed by the storage 54 when intact (refer to theleft panel of the figure). When the user input is applied to the breaker55B along a direction vertical to the seal 53 as described in the rightpanel of the figure, the breaker 55B is arranged to linearly translateupwardly and to break the seal 53 therethrough. In this embodiment, theseal 53 tends to break inwardly into the storage 54 as exemplified inFIGS. 4C and 4D. After the seal 53 is broken, a medium 60 dropsvertically out of the storage 54 as a gap formed by the breaker 55Bexceeds the size of the medium 60. The storage 54 of this embodiment maybe employed in the medium-containing bottle of the type A1-A4, B1-B4,C1, E1 or E2, F1-F4, and G1 or G2. In another example of FIG. 5D,another breaker 55B is disposed similar to that of FIG. 5C. In responseto the user input as exemplified in the right panel of the figure, thebreaker 55B is arranged to optionally advance (upwardly) and to rotatealong an angular track while keeping its position between the medium 60and side wall, until the breaker 55B breaks the seal 53 around theperiphery of the opening of the storage 54. Similar to that of FIG. 5A,the seal 53 breaks outward out of the storage 54. As the seal 53 breaks,a medium 60 drops out of the storage 54 as a gap formed by the breaker55B exceeds the size of the medium 60. The storage 54 of such anembodiment may be employed in the medium-containing bottle of the typeA1-A4, B1-B4, C1 or C3, E1 or E2, F1-F4, and G1 or G2.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention and asexemplified in FIG. 5E, an actuator includes multiple breakers which areincorporated inside (or outside) a storage and moves out of the storage(or thereinto) in response to a user input so as to break a seal. In theembodiment described in FIG. 5E, a pair of breakers 55B are disposedvertical to the seal 53 and outside a storage 54 while facing a pair ofopposing points disposed along or near a periphery of an opening formedby the storage 54 when intact (refer to the left panel of the figure).When the user input is applied to the breakers 55B along a directionvertical to the seal 53 as described in the right panel of the figure,such breakers 55B are arranged to linearly translate upwardly forbreaking the seal 53 therethrough. In this embodiment, the seal 53 tendsto break inwardly into the storage 54 as exemplified in FIGS. 4C and 4D.After the seal 53 is broken, a medium 60 drops vertically out of thestorage 54 when a gap formed by the breaker 55B exceeds the size of themedium 60. It is appreciated that multiple breakers 55B may be disposedinside such a storage 54, may rotate along angular tracks, and so on. Inaddition, at least one of the breakers 55B may be disposed inside thestorage 54, while at least another of the breakers 55B may be disposedoutside the storage 54. Similarly, at least one of such breakers 54 maylinearly translate in response to the user input, and at least anotherthereof may rotate angularly. The storage 54 of this embodiment may beused in the medium-containing bottle of the type A1-A4, B1-B4, C1, E1 orE2, F1-F4, and G1 or G2.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention and asexemplified in FIGS. 5F and 5G, each storage includes a medium defininga center hole, and each actuator includes a breaker which is disposedinside (or outside) a storage and moves out of (or into) the storagethrough such a hole in response to the user inputs. In one example ofFIG. 5F, a medium 60 defines an indentation in its bottom centerportion, while a breaker 55B is disposed vertical to the seal 53 andoutside a storage 54 while opposing the indentation of the medium 60when intact (refer to the left panel of the figure). When the user inputis applied to the breaker 55B along a direction vertical to the seal 53as described in the right panel of the figure, the breaker 55B isarranged to linearly translate upwardly and to break the seal 53 byadvancing (upwardly) into the indentation of the medium 60. The medium60 then forms the fluid communication with the interior of the bottleand/or mixes with the fluid which is contained in the interior, whilebeing confined inside the storage 54 due to the breaker 55B. In thealternative, such a breaker 55B may optionally retract downwardly andmove out of the storage 54 in order to allow the medium 60 to dropvertically and out of the storage 54. In this embodiment, the seal 53tends to break inwardly into the storage 54 as described in FIGS. 4C and4D. The storage 54 of this embodiment may be used in themedium-containing bottle of the type A1-A4, B1-B4, C1, E1 or E2, F1-F4,and G1 or G2 In another example of FIG. 5G, another medium 60 formstherethrough a center hole, and breaker 55B is disposed vertical to theseal 53 and in a storage 54 through the center hole of the medium 60(refer to the left panel of the figure). As the user input is applied tothe breaker 55B along a direction vertical to the seal 53 as representedin the right panel of the figure, the breaker 55B is arranged tolinearly translate downwardly through such a center hole until it breakthe seal 53. Without having to retract the breaker 55B, such a medium 60may drop vertically and move out of the storage as long as a gap formedby the breaker 55B on the seal 53 exceeds a size of the medium 60. Inthis embodiment, such a seal 53 tends to break outwardly out of thestorage 54 as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. The storage 54 of thisembodiment may be used in the medium-containing bottle of the typeA1-A4, B1-B4, C1, E1 or E2, F1-F4, and G1 or G2.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention and asexemplified in FIG. 5H, a breaker may also be disposed and/or operate tobreak a seal along a non-vertical direction such as, e.g., a verticaldirection, a transverse direction, and the like. In the embodiment ofFIG. 5H, a storage 54 is similar to that of FIG. 5C, except beingdisposed horizontally while exposing an opening thereof horizontally. Tobreak a vertical seal 53 of this storage 54, a breaker 55B is disposedhorizontally and outside the storage 54, and arranged to advancelaterally until the seal 53 breaks. A medium 60 may then stay in thestorage 54 and contact the fluid unless actuated by the breaker 55B oranother part of the actuator. Such a lateral or transverse arrangementmay apply to other arrangements exemplified in FIGS. 5A to 5G. Thestorage 54 of this embodiment may be used with the medium-containingbottle of the type A1-A4, B1-B4, C2 or C4, E2 or E1, F1-F4, and G2 orG1.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention and asexemplified in FIGS. 5I and 5J, each actuator is arranged to break aseal not by directing actuating such but by manipulating a medium andbreaking the seal thereby. In one example of FIG. 5I, a medium 60 isshaped and sized to define a pointed or sharp end in its bottom end,similar to that of FIGS. 2A to 2C. An actuator may not include anybreaker but instead employ a coupler (not included in the figure) whichis similar to that of FIGS. 2A to 2C and serves to transmit the userinput to the medium 60 therethrough. As the user input is appliedvertically to the medium 60 by the coupler, the medium 60 is directlydepressed by such user input, and the pointed end of the medium 60finally breaks the seal 53 in response thereto. In another example ofFIG. 5J, a medium 60 is similar to that of FIG. 5I, except defining apointed or sharp end not in its center but near its edge. A coupler 52then transmits the user input to the medium 60 which may then break theseal 53. In each examples, the medium 60 may drop vertically out of thestorage 54 as a gap formed by such a medium 60 across the seal 53 mayexceed a size of the medium 60. It is to be understood that these media60 may be used in conjunction with various breakers described above. Thestorages 54 of these embodiments may be used with the medium-containingbottle of the type A1-A4, B1-B4, C1, E1 or E2, F1-F4, and G1 or G2.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention and asexemplified in FIG. 5K, an actuator includes an optional mesh (orscreen) which is disposed on an internal end of a storage and serves toprevent a particle which is produced by a medium and defines a dimensionbeyond a certain threshold value from being dispensed into the interiorof the bottle. In the embodiment of FIG. 5K, a mesh 65 is coupled alonga periphery of a storage 54, where such a mesh 65 is shaped and/or sizedas a screen with preset sieving openings. When the actuator breaks theseal 53 either directly or indirectly, a medium 60 moves out of thestorage 54 but lands on the mesh 65 which then prevents coarse particlesfrom being mixed into the fluid. It is appreciated that such a mesh 65may be included in any of the bottles described heretofore andhereinafter. In addition, such a mesh 65 may instead be implementedaround the opening in the top portion of the bottle and prevent suchcoarse particles from being dispensed out of the interior of the bottle.The storage 54 of this embodiment may be used with the medium-containingbottle of the type A1-A4, B1-B4, C1, E1, F1-F4, and G2.

In another aspect of the present invention, the medium-containingbottles of this invention may include various actuators which aremovably coupled to the storages and directly or indirectly move variousseals of the storages. FIGS. 6A to 6E show schematic views of variousactuators for moving the seals through various mechanisms according tothe present invention. It is appreciated that these figures only includerelevant portions of the bottles therein and, therefore, that the restof such bottles are omitted therefrom. The following figures are furtheroriented so that their front sides correspond to the exterior of thebottles, and their rear sides correspond to the interior thereof,although such an orientation may be flipped. In addition, each actuatorof these figures is incorporated into a particular type of a circular orsemi-circular opening of a storage, although each actuator may beincorporated into other types of openings of various storages. Eachactuator of the figures may also be arranged to move the seal eitherdirectly in response to the user input or indirectly through thecoupler, where the actuator and its coupler are omitted from suchfigures for simplicity of illustration. Each storage of the figures maybe oriented along any direction such that a storage which may extendhorizontally in the figures may be embodied to be disposed in adifferent direction into a bottle so as to form a vertical or slantedstorage.

In one exemplary embodiment of such an aspect of the invention and asexemplified in FIG. 6A, a storage is provided on a body 20 and forms acircular opening 54P over which are disposed multiple seals 53 having anarrangement of a camera iris which is similar to that shown in FIG. 4J.When intact and as exemplified in the left panel of the figure, suchseals 53 cover an entire portion of the opening 54P of the storage and,therefore, fluidly seals the storage from the interior of the body 20and/or fluid contained therein. In response to the user input, anactuator (not included in the figure) rotates such seals 53 andgradually recede the seals 53 from a center thereof as shown in themiddle panel, while exposing the opening 54P of such a storagetherethrough. Therefore, the seals 53 may provide fluid communicationbetween the storage and interior of the bottle or fluid containedtherein in response to the user input as shown in the right panel. Thestorage 54 of this embodiment may be used with the medium-containingbottle of the type A1-A4, B1-B4, C3 or C4, E1 or E2, F1-F4, and G1 orG2.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention and asexemplified in FIG. 6B, a storage is provided on a body 20 whiledefining a semi-circular opening 54P over which is rotatably disposed aseal 53 which in turn defines a semi-circular slit 53S. Moreparticularly and as exemplified in the left panel of the figure, theseal 53 is arranged to rotate about a center of rotation 53C in such away that the slit 53S and opening 54P are misaligned and that the seal53 covers and fluidly seals the storage from the interior of the bottleand fluid contained therein. As illustrated in the middle panel, theuser input is applied to an actuator (not included in the figure) whichthen rotates the seal 53 about the center of rotation 53C along acounter-clockwise direction. In response to such rotation, the slit 53Sof the seal 53 gradually overlaps the opening 54P and exposes thestorage. When the slit 53S rotates about 180° as shown in the rightpanel, the slit 53S exposes an entire portion of the opening 54P andprovides a fluid communication between the storage and the interior ofthe bottle and fluids contained therein. It is to be understood that thearrangement of this embodiment is similar to those of FIGS. 4G and 4H.The storage 54 of this embodiment may be used with the medium-containingbottle of the type A1-A4, B1-B4, C3 or C4, E1 or E2, F1-F4, and G1 orG2.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention and asexemplified in FIG. 6C, a storage is provided on a body 20 whiledefining a semi-circular opening 54P over which a seal 53 is slidinglydisposed. In its closed position as exemplified in the middle panel ofthe figure, the seal 53 is arranged to completely cover an opening 54Pof a storage 54 and, therefore, to fluidly separate such a storage fromthe interior of the bottle. As depicted in the right panel, anapplicator receives the user input and then slides the seal 53 away fromthe opening 54P, thereby exposing the opening 54P and providing a fluidcommunication between the storage and the interior of the bottle andfluid contained therein. Alternatively and as exemplified in the rightpanel, the seal 53 may be arranged to be folded while moving from itsclosed to open position, where an auxiliary guide (not included in thefigure) may be incorporated to fold the seal 53 along a proper directionand/or in a proper angle. It is appreciated that the arrangement of thisembodiment is similar to those of FIGS. 4G and 4H. The storage 54 ofthis embodiment may be employed with the medium-containing bottle of thetype A1-A4, B1-B4, C2 (for the case of the left panel) or C2 or C4 (forthe case of the right panel), E2 or E1, F1-F4, and G2 or G1.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention and asexemplified in FIG. 6D, a storage is provided on a body 20 whiledefining a semi-circular opening 54P over which is slidingly disposed aseal 53 which in turn defines a rectangular slit 53S. More particularlyand as exemplified in the middle panel of the figure, the seal 53 isdisposed to misalign its slit 53S with the opening 54P of the seal 53such that the seal 53 covers and fluidly seals the storage from theinterior of the bottle and fluid contained therein. As exemplified inthe left panel, the user input is applied onto an actuator (not includedin the figure) which then slides the seal 53 away from the opening 54P.In response to such translation and as described in the left panel, theslit 53S overlaps the opening 54P and then exposes an entire portion ofthe storage, thereby providing a fluid communication between the storageand the interior of the bottle and/or fluids contained therein.Alternatively and as exemplified in the right panel, the seal 53 mayalso be arranged to be folded while moving from its closed to openposition, where an auxiliary guide (not included in the figure) may beemployed to fold the seal 53 along a proper direction and/or in a properangle. It is to be understood that the arrangement of such an embodimentis similar to those of FIGS. 4G and 4H. Such a storage 54 of thisembodiment may further be employed with the medium-containing bottle ofthe type A1-A4, B1-B4, C2 (for the case of the left panel) or C2 or C4(for the case of the right panel), E2 or E1, F1-F4, and G2 or G1.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention and asexemplified in FIG. 6E, a storage is also provided on a body 20 whiledefining a circular opening 54P over which are slidingly disposed a pairof seals 53. As described in the middle panel of the figure, the seals53 are disposed to abut each other in a center of the opening 54P suchthat the seals 53 cover and fluidly seal such a storage from theinterior of the bottle and fluid contained therein. As exemplified inthe left panel, the user input is applied onto an actuator (not includedin the figure) which then slide the seals 53 away from each other andaway from the opening 54P. In response to such translations and as shownin the left panel, the seals 53 eventually expose an entire portion ofthe storage, thereby providing a fluid communication between the storageand the interior of the bottle and fluids contained therein. In thealternative and as exemplified in the right panel, the seals 53 may alsobe arranged to be folded while moving from their closed to openpositions, where auxiliary guides (not included in the figure) may beemployed to fold such seals 53 along proper directions and/or in properangles. It is appreciated that the arrangement of such an embodiment issimilar to those of FIGS. 4G and 4H. The storage 54 of this embodimentmay be employed with the medium-containing bottle of the type A1-A4,B1-B4, C2 (for the case of the left panel) or C2 or C4 (for the case ofthe right panel), E2 or E1, F1-F4, and G2 or G1.

Various actuators of such medium-containing bottles of the presentinvention actuating various seals and media exemplified in FIGS. 5A to5K and FIGS. 6A to 6E also include following configurational andoperational variations and/or modifications thereof, details of whichare to be set forth below.

As described above, main functions of the actuator include receiving theuser input, delivering the user input to various seals and/or mediadirectly or indirectly, removing the seals directly by itself or throughthe media, allowing the user to induce manual mixing between the mediumand fluid, and so on. Other functions of the actuator include definingthe storage for storing the medium, sealing such a storage by properseals, and the like. To these ends, the actuator may be incorporatedinto one of the top, middle, and bottom portions in which the medium orseal is disposed. Alternatively, the actuator or at least a portionthereof may be disposed in the portion which is different from thedisposition location of the medium or seal. In this embodiment, theactuator may transmit such input to the medium and/or seal by the abovecoupler. The actuator may be disposed on the exterior of the bottle orin the interior of the bottle, may extend from the exterior into theinterior thereof, and the like.

The actuator may be arranged to receive various user inputs appliedalong a vertical direction, a horizontal direction or an angled (ortransverse) direction, where such user inputs are translational forces,rotational forces (or torques), and/or combinations thereof each ofwhich may be defined in a two- or three-dimensional plane and where theactuator may translate or rotate (or pivot) in response to the userinputs. The actuator may mechanically and directly couple with the sealand/or medium in order to transmit the user input directly thereto,where the user input is transmitted to the seal and/or medium whilemaintaining its magnitude and direction. In the alternative, theactuator may include the coupler which may modify the magnitude and/ordirection of the user input and transmit the modified input to the sealand/or medium.

As described above, the actuator may be arranged to remove the seal invarious mechanisms. For example, the actuator may push, pull, pivot,and/or rotate the seal for breaking or moving the seal, where theactuator may use the sharp or dull object to cut or burst open the seal,respectively, may move the seal from its closed position to its openposition, and the like. The medium may instead form the sharp or dulledge and the actuator may manipulate the medium for breaking the seal.The actuator may include a string, a gear assembly, and/or otherconventional force-transmitting articles to transmit the user input.When desirable, the actuator may also be arranged to stir the mixture ofthe fluid and medium to promote the mixing therebetween. The actuatormay be generally coupled to and supported by any part of the bottle asfar as the actuator may not hinder such a part from performing itsintended function. When desirable, any movable part of the bottle may beused as a portion of the actuator as well.

In another aspect of the present invention, various medium-containingbottles may be provided by incorporating each of the above storages ontoor into various bodies, by removably coupling each of the above sealsonto or into such storages, by storing each of such media inside thestorages, and by operatively coupling each of the above actuators withthe seals and/or media. FIGS. 7A through 7F describe schematiccross-sectional views of other exemplary bottles each of which includesat least one medium in its top portion according to the presentinvention.

In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention and as shownin FIG. 7A, a bottle 10 is generally similar to that of FIGS. 2A to 2C,and includes a body 20, an optional applicator 30, and a lid 40. Inaddition, the bottle 10 includes an actuator 50 and a medium 60 disposedin a top portion of the bottle 10. However, the actuator 50 of thisembodiment differs from that of FIGS. 2A through 2C in several aspects.First, a bottom end of the storage 54 is open to an interior of thebottle 10 and fluidly communicates with the fluid 70 through a guide 56which corresponds to the pathway of FIGS. 2A to 2C. Therefore, the fluid70 fills up a lumen of the storage 54 and forms a meniscus inside andoutside the lumen. Second, the seal 53 is disposed immediately below thestoppers 58 (near the meniscus of the fluid 70 in this embodiment) whilefluidly separating the medium 60 from the fluid 70. In addition, thestorage 54 includes therein a pair of holders 57 which are movablydisposed at its bottom end. It is to be understood that the above bottle10 may be classified as the type of A2 or A4, B2 or B4, C1, D1 or D2,E1, F3, and G3, whereas that of FIGS. 2A to 2C may be classified as thetype A2 or A4, B2 or B4, C1, D1 or D2, E1, F3, and G2 or G1.

In operation, the user obtains the bottle 10 which is filled with thefluid 70 to the middle portion thereof and which includes the medium 60.In this stage, the medium 60 is disposed in the storage 54 and,therefore, fluidly separated from the interior of the bottle 10 (or body20) and from the fluid 70 by various parts of the storage 54. Upon use,the user removes the lid 40 from the rest of the bottle 10 by rotatingthe lid 40 along a proper direction. After removing the lid 40, the userreaches the handle 51 of the actuator 50 disposed on top of theapplicator 30 and lifts up the handle 51 by pivoting such by about 90°.In this stage, the medium 60 is still retained in the storage 54 andfluidly separated from the interior of the bottle 10 and from the fluid70. The user then applies the user input by pushing the handle 51downwardly. In response to the user input, the handle 51 begins toadvance downwardly and to push the medium 60. When the user inputexceeds the resisting force of the stoppers 58, the medium 60 passesthrough the stoppers 58 and approaches the seal 53. When the usercontinues to apply the input, the medium 60 breaks the seal 53 and thendrops vertically along the guide 56 of the pathway 54. Accordingly, themedium 60 of this embodiment first contacts the fluid 70 in or near thetop portion of the bottle 10, in contrary to that of FIGS. 2A to 2Cwhich contacts the fluid 70 in or near the bottom portion thereof. Asthe medium 60 reaches the bottom end of the guide 56, bottom ends of themedium 60 are caught by the holders 57 which flip in order to retain themedium 60 therein. Thus, the medium 60 tends to stay in the bottomportion of the bottle 10 during its dissolution or dispersement in thefluid 70. When the medium 60 includes protective layers to secure itsagents from the UV rays, the coat layers first contact the fluid 70 andmix (i.e., dissolve or disperse) in the fluid 70. Thereafter, variousagents such as the antioxidants in the medium 60 mix in the fluid 70.Depending upon various characteristics of such agents and/or fillers ofthe medium 60, the mixing between the medium 60 and fluid 70 may bepromoted. For example, the medium 60 may include the gassing fillers orgasifiers so that the medium 60 produces gas bubbles upon contactingwith the fluid 70. The gas bubbles may not only induce forced convectionof the agents in the fluid 70 but also remove formation of concentrationboundary layers around or inside the medium 60, thereby maximizing themixing between the medium 60 and fluid 70. In addition, such gasifiersmay be incorporated for carbonating the fluid 70, thereby carbonatingthe fluid 70. Other configurational and/or operational characteristicsof the bottle 10 and its various parts of FIG. 7A are similar oridentical to those of FIGS. 2A to 2C, FIGS. 3A to 3T, FIGS. 4A to 4J,FIGS. 5A to 5K, and FIGS. 6A to 6E.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention and asdescribed in FIG. 7B, a bottle 10 is provided generally similar to thatof FIG. 7A, and includes a body 20, an applicator 30, and a lid 40. Thebottle 10 includes a medium 60 which is also disposed in its top portionand an actuator 50 which is somewhat similar to that of FIG. 7A butincludes a storage 54 which does not extend into the middle and/orbottom portions of the bottle 10. Rather, the storage 54 terminates inthe top portion of the bottle 10 and above the meniscus of the fluid 70in this embodiment, whereas its bottom end is covered by a removableseal 53. Therefore, the medium 60 is fluidly separated from the interiorof the body 10 and from the fluid 70 by the seal 53. It is appreciatedthat such a bottle 10 may be classified as the type of A2 or A4, B2 orB4, C1, D1 or D2, E1, F3, and G1.

In operation, the user obtains the bottle 10 which is filled with thefluid 70 to the middle portion thereof and which includes the medium 60.Upon use, the user removes the lid 40 from the rest of the bottle 10 byrotating the lid 40 along a proper direction. After removing the lid 40,the user reaches the handle 51 of the actuator 50 and actuates such ahandle 51 in a manner similar to that of FIG. 7A. The user then appliesthe user input by pushing the handle 51 downwardly. In response to theuser input, the handle 51 begins to advance downwardly and to push themedium 60. When such input exceeds the resisting force of the stoppers58, the medium 60 passes through the stoppers 58 and abuts the seal 53.When the user continues to apply the input, the medium 60 breaks theseal 53 and then drops vertically into the fluid 70. When the medium 60includes protective layers for securing its agents from the UV rays, thecoat layers first contact the fluid 70 and mix (i.e., dissolve ordisperse) in the fluid 70. Thereafter, various agents 60 mix in thefluid 70. Depending on various characteristics of the agents and/orfillers of the medium 60, the mixing between the medium 60 and fluid 70may also be promoted as described above. Other configurational andoperational characteristics of the bottle 10 and various parts thereofof FIG. 7B are similar or identical to those of FIGS. 2A to 2C, FIGS. 3Ato 3T, FIGS. 4A to 4J, FIGS. 5A to 5K, FIGS. 6A to 6E, and FIG. 7A.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention and asdescribed in FIG. 7C, a bottle 10 is provided generally similar to thatof FIG. 7B, and includes a body 20, an applicator 30, and a lid 40. Thebottle 10 includes a medium 60 which is also disposed in its top portionand an actuator 50 which is somewhat similar to that of FIG. 7A butrather includes a storage 54 which forms a closed bottom end which issimilar to those of FIGS. 3E and 3S. Such a storage 54 includes a seal53 which is arranged to be movable and to form a rectangular slit 53Swhich is similar to those of FIGS. 6B and 6D. Accordingly, the storage54 defines a matching rectangular opening 54P which is shaped and/orsized to match the slit 53S of the seal 53. Because the storage 54 doesnot open through its bottom end, the medium 60 does not need to form apointed end, contrary to those of FIGS. 2A to 2C in which the lowermedium forms the pointed end in its bottom portion. The actuator 50 hasa handle 51 which mechanically couples with the seal 53, and rotates theseal 53 relative to the storage 54 in response to the user input,similar to those of FIGS. 4G and 4H. It is appreciated that the abovebottle 10 may be classified as the type of A2 or A4, B2 or B4, C3, D3,E1, F3, and G2.

In operation, the user obtains the bottle 10 which is filled with thefluid 70 to the middle portion thereof and which includes the medium 60.Upon use, the user removes the lid 40 from the rest of the bottle 10 byrotating the lid 40 along a proper direction. After removing the lid 40,the user reaches the handle 51 of the actuator 50 disposed on top of theapplicator 30 and lifts up the handle 51 by pivoting such by about 90°.In this stage, the media 60 are still retained in the storage 54 andfluidly separated from the interior of the bottle 10 and from the fluid70. The user then applies the user input by rotating the handle 51 in aclockwise or counter-clockwise direction. In response to the user input,the handle 51 begins to turn the seal 53, while disposing the slit 53Sof the seal 53 toward the opening 54P of the storage 54. As the seal 53turns about a preset angle, the slit 53S begins to overlap the opening54P. As the user applies more input and the slit 53S of the seal 53overlaps a greater portion of the opening 54P of the storage 54, themedium 60 moves out of the storage 54 and drops into the fluid 70. Inorder to facilitate the medium 60 to move out thereof, the storage 54may define protrusions or tracks therein or the actuator 50 may have thecoupler which may push the medium 60 out of the storage 54 as the userrotates the handle 51. When the medium 60 includes protective layers tosecure the agents from the UV rays, the coat layers first contact thefluid 70 and dissolves and/or disperses into the fluid 70. Thereafter,various agents such as the antioxidants in the medium 60 mix with thefluid 70. Depending upon various characteristics of such agents and/orfillers, the mixing between the medium 60 and fluid 70 may be promotedas described above. Other configurational and operationalcharacteristics of the bottle 10 and various parts thereof of FIG. 7Care similar or identical to those of FIGS. 2A to 2C, FIGS. 3A to 3T,FIGS. 4A to 4J, FIGS. 5A to 5K, FIGS. 6A to 6E, and FIGS. 7A and 7B.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention and asdescribed in FIG. 7D, a bottle 10 is provided generally similar to thatof FIG. 7C, and includes a body 20, an applicator 30, and a lid 40. Thebottle 10 includes media 60 which are also disposed in its top portionand an actuator 50 which is somewhat similar to that of FIG. 7C but itsstorage 54 has a seal 53 defining a rectangular slit 53S similar tothose of FIGS. 6B and 6D. Therefore, the storage 54 also forms amatching rectangular opening 54P which is shaped and/or sized to matchthe slit 53S of the seal 53. In addition, the slit 53S and opening 54Pare arranged to extend through a bottom end of the storage 54 and tooverlap each other when the seal 53 moves to its open position. Insidethe storage 54 are disposed multiple media 60 which are sized to besmaller than the slit 53S and opening 54P. The actuator 50 includes ahandle 51 which mechanically couples with the seal 53, and rotates theseal 53 relative to the storage 54 in response to the user input,similar to those of FIGS. 4G and 4H. It is appreciated that the abovebottle 10 may be classified as the type of A2 or A4, B2 or B4, C3, D3,E1, F3, and G1.

In operation, the user obtains the bottle 10 which is filled with thefluid 70 to the middle portion thereof and which includes the medium 60.Upon use, the user removes the lid 40 from the rest of the bottle 10 byrotating the lid 40 along a proper direction and actuates the handle 51of the actuator 50 disposed on top of the applicator 30 in a mannersimilar to that of FIG. 7C. The user applies the input by rotating thehandle 51 in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction. In response tothe user input, the handle 51 begins to turn the seal 53, whiledisposing the slit 53S of the seal 53 toward the opening 54P of thestorage 54. When the seal 53 turns about a preset angle, the slit 53Sbegins to overlap the opening 54P. As the user applies more input andthe slit 53S of the seal 53 overlaps a greater portion of the opening54P of the storage 54 in the bottom end of the storage 54, the media 60move out of the storage 54 and drop in the fluid 70. When the media 60include protective layers to secure the agents from the UV rays, thecoat layers first contact the fluid 70 and dissolves or disperses intothe fluid 70. Thereafter, various agents such as the antioxidants in themedium 60 mix with the fluid 70. Depending upon various characteristicsof such agents and/or fillers, the mixing between the medium 60 andfluid 70 may be promoted as described above. Other configurational andoperational characteristics of the bottle 10 and its various parts ofFIG. 7D are similar or identical to those of FIGS. 2A to 2C, FIGS. 3A to3T, FIGS. 4A to 4J, FIGS. 5A to 5K, FIGS. 6A to 6E, and FIGS. 7A to 7C.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention and asdescribed in FIG. 7E, a bottle 10 is provided generally similar to thatof FIG. 7D, and includes a body 20, an applicator 30, and a lid 40. Thebottle 10 includes media 60 which are also disposed in its top portionand an actuator 50 which is somewhat similar to that of FIG. 7D.However, a storage 54 has a seal 53 which is coupled to a bottom end ofthe applicator 30 by a coupler 52 and which translates vertically alongthe storage 54. Inside the storage 54 and above the seal 53 are disposedmultiple media 60 which are sized to be smaller than a gap formed by theseal 53 when translated downwardly. The actuator 50 includes a handle 51which mechanically couples with the coupler 52, and vertically pushesthe seal 53 relative to the storage 54 in response to the user input. Itis appreciated that this bottle 10 may be classified as the type of A2or A4, B2 or B4, C1, D3, E1, F3, and G1 or G2.

In operation, the user obtains the bottle 10 which is filled with thefluid 70 to the middle portion thereof and which includes the medium 60.Upon use, the user removes the lid 40 from the rest of the bottle 10 byrotating the lid 40 along a proper direction and actuates the handle 51of the actuator 50 disposed on top of the applicator 30 in a mannersimilar to that of FIG. 7C. The user applies the input by pushing thehandle 51 vertically and downwardly. In response to the user input, sucha handle 51 begins to advance the coupler 52 and seal 53 downwardly aswell. When the seal 53 advances by a preset distance, the gap is formedbetween an advancing edge of the seal 53 and a stationary edge of thestorage 54. When the gap becomes wider than diameters of the media 60,such media 60 begin to slide out of the storage 54 through the gap anddrop into the fluid 70. When such media 60 include protective layers tosecure the agents from the UV rays, the coat layers first contact thefluid 70 and dissolves or disperses into the fluid 70. Thereafter,various agents in the medium 60 are mixed in the fluid 70. Depending onvarious characteristics of such agents and/or fillers, the mixingbetween the medium 60 and fluid 70 may be promoted as described above.Other configurational and operational characteristics of the bottle 10and its various parts of FIG. 7E are similar or identical to those ofFIGS. 2A to 2C, FIGS. 3A to 3T, FIGS. 4A to 4J, FIGS. 5A to 5K, FIGS. 6Ato 6E, and FIGS. 7A to 7D.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention and asdescribed in FIG. 7F, a bottle 10 includes a body 20 and a lid 40. Thelid 40 defines a storage 54 which includes a handle 51, a seal 53, aguide 56, and stoppers 58. The guide 56 is also defined inside the lid40 and along sides thereof, and the stoppers 58 similar to those ofFIGS. 2A to 2C, 7A, and 7B are disposed in a bottom end of the lid 40.The seal 53 is disposed not in the lid 40 but around the opening of thebody 20 so as to fluidly isolate the storage 54 of the lid 40 from theinterior of the body 20. A medium 60 is disposed in the top portion ofthe bottle 10 and in the storage 54. The medium 60 defines a pointedbottom and is disposed to abut the seal 53 by its pointed side when theseal 53 is intact. The actuator 50 includes a handle 51 which functionsdifferently from that of FIGS. 2A to 2C and those of FIGS. 7A to 7E.That is, in contrary to the translating handles of FIGS. 2A to 2C, 7A,7B, and 7E and rotating handle of FIGS. 7C and 7D, the handle 51 of thisembodiment occupies a substantial area of a top end of the lid 40 andencloses the storage 54 from the top. Therefore, the storage 54 istypically bound by the guide 56 on its side, by the handle 51 on its topend, and by the seal in its bottom end. This handle 51 is made of and/orincludes various materials and mechanical characteristics of the handle51 may be selected to be sturdy enough to transmit the user input ontothe medium 60. It is appreciated that such a bottle 10 may be classifiedas the type A1, B1 or B4, C1, D1 or D2, E2, F3, and G2 or G1.

In operation, the user obtains the bottle 10 which is filled with thefluid 70 to the middle portion thereof and which includes the medium 60.Upon use, the user applies the user input by pressing the handle 51inwardly into the interior of the bottle 10. In response to such aninput, the handle 51 begins to push the medium 60 toward the seal 53.When the magnitude of the user input reaches a threshold value, thepointed end of the medium 60 begins to cut or to burst the seal 53. Asthe user apply more input, the medium 60 completely breaks the seal 53and moves out of the storage 54 into the interior of the bottle 10 andthen into the fluid 70. When the medium 60 includes the protective layerto protect its agents from the UV rays, this layer first contacts thefluid 70 and dissolves or disperses into the fluid 70. Thereafter,various agents of the medium 60 begin to mix with the fluid 70.Depending upon the characteristics of the agents and/or fillers of themedia 60, the mixing between the media 60 and fluid 70 may also bepromoted as described above. Other configurational and operationalcharacteristics of the bottle 10 and its various parts of FIG. 7F aresimilar or identical to those of FIGS. 2A to 2C, FIGS. 3A to 3T, FIGS.4A to 4J, FIGS. 5A to 5K, FIGS. 6A to 6E, and FIGS. 7A to 7E.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention and asdescribed in FIG. 7G, a bottle 10 includes a body 20 and a lid 40. Astorage 54 is formed in the top portion of the bottle 10 and between thelid 40 and the neck of the body 20, and includes a seal 53, a breaker55B, and a pusher 55P. The seal 53 is disposed around the opening of theneck of the body 20 at a slanted angle which may be between 10° to 60°,although an angle between 30° and 45° are preferred. The lid 40 definesa protruded portion therein, where such a portion is preferentiallydefined off the center of the lid 40. More particularly, a bottom end ofthe protrusion is arranged to form the breaker 55B having a pointed endwhich is to be used to break the seal 53, and a top end of theprotrusion is to form a thick layer which is sloped at an angle which isapproximately similar or identical to the angle of the disposition ofthe seal 53. A single medium 60 is then disposed between the protrusionof the lid 40 and the seal 53 in the neck of the body 20. It ispreferred that the medium 60 define slanted top and bottom surfaces andthat such a medium 60 snugly fit between the slanted surface of theprotrusion of the lid 40 and the slanted seal 53. In order to attainsuch a disposition of the medium 60 inside the storage 54, the lid 40may be pressed and fit onto the opening of the bottle 10 during themanufacture. It is appreciated that such a bottle 10 may be classifiedas the type A1, B1 or B4, C3, D3, E1, F3, and G2 or G1.

In operation, the user obtains the bottle 10 which is filled with thefluid 70 to the middle portion thereof and includes the medium 60. Uponuse, the user applies the user input by rotating the lid 40 in aclockwise or counter-clockwise direction. In response to the input, thelid 40 moves upward due to pitches (not included in the figure) providedbetween the lid 40 and neck of the body 20. During such rotation,however, the protrusion of the lid 40 abuts the stationary medium 60supported by the seal 53 and begins to push the medium 60 downwardtoward the seal 53. When the lid 40 rotates beyond a preset angle, theprotrusion of the lid 40 pushes the medium 60 with its thickest region,and then the medium 60 advances downwardly and vertically while breakingthe seal 53 thereby. When desirable, the breaker 55B may be arranged tobreak the seal 53 to facilitate the downward movement of such a medium60. When the medium 60 includes the protective layer to protect itsagents from the UV rays, this layer contacts the fluid 70 and dissolvesor disperses into the fluid 70. Thereafter, various agents of the medium60 begin to mix with the fluid 70. Depending on the characteristics ofthe agents and/or fillers of the media 60, the mixing between the medium60 and fluid 70 may be promoted as described above. Furtherconfigurational and operational characteristics of the bottle 10 and itsvarious parts of FIG. 7G may be similar or identical to those of FIGS.2A to 2C, FIGS. 3A to 3T, FIGS. 4A to 4J, FIGS. 5A to 5K, FIGS. 6A to6E, and FIGS. 7A to 7F.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention and asdescribed in FIG. 7H, a bottle 10 includes a body 20, a lid 40, and anoptional applicator 30. Such a body 20 defines a hole in its top portionand along its taper, in which a storage 54 may be provided by coupling ahemispherical seal 53 around the hole on the side of the body 20. Thisbottle 10 also includes an actuator 50 and a medium 60 disposed in thetop portion of the bottle 10 and inside the storage 54. The medium 60also forms a pointed end which is oriented to abut the seal 53 when theseal 53 is intact. The actuator 50 includes a handle 51 which functionssimilar to those of FIGS. 7C and 7D. That is, the seal 53 defines anarcuate slit 53S which is similar to those of FIGS. 6B and 6D.Accordingly, the storage 54 defines a matching arcuate opening 54P whichis shaped and sized to match the slit 53S of the seal 53. The handle 51is then disposed to enclose the storage 54 on the side of the body 20.Thus, the storage 54 is typically bound by the hemispherical seal 53 onits side and also by the flat handle 51 on its side. It is appreciatedin the figure that the seal 53 couples with the body only along aperiphery of the side of the body 20. Such a seal 53 may, however, bearranged to be attached to a larger portion of an outer wall of thehole. It is appreciated that such a bottle 10 may be classified as thetype A3 or A4, B3 or B4, C3 or C4, D3, E1, F3, and G2 or G1.

In operation, the user obtains the bottle 10 which is filled with thefluid 70 to the middle portion thereof and which includes the medium 60.Before removing the lid 40, the user reaches the handle 51 of theactuator 50 disposed on the side of the body 20 and applies the userinput by rotating such a handle 51 in a clockwise or counter-clockwisedirection. In response to the user input, the handle 51 begins to turnthe seal 53, while disposing the slit 53S of the seal 53 toward theopening 54P of the storage 54. As the seal 53 turns about a presetangle, the slit 53S begins to overlap the opening 54P. As the userapplies more input and the slit 53S of the seal 53 overlaps a greaterportion of the opening 54P of the storage 54, the medium 60 moves out ofthe storage 54 and drops into the fluid 70. In order to facilitate themedium 60 to move out thereof, the storage 54 may define protrusions ortracks therein or the actuator 50 may have the coupler which may pushthe medium 60 out of the storage 54 as the user rotates the handle 51.When the medium 60 includes protective layers to secure the agents fromthe UV rays, the coat layers first contact the fluid 70 and dissolvesand/or disperses into the fluid 70. Thereafter, various agents such asthe antioxidants in the medium 60 mix with the fluid 70. Depending uponvarious characteristics of such agents and/or fillers, the mixingbetween the medium 60 and fluid 70 may be promoted as described above.Other configurational and operational characteristics of the bottle 10and various parts thereof of FIG. 7H are similar or identical to thoseof FIGS. 2A to 2C, FIGS. 3A to 3T, FIGS. 4A to 4J, FIGS. 5A to 5K, FIGS.6A to 6E, and FIGS. 7A to 7G.

In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention and asdescribed in FIG. 7I, a bottle 10 has a body 20, a lid 40, and anoptional applicator 30. Similar to that of FIG. 7H, such a body 20defines a hole in its top portion and along its side, in which a storage54 is provided by coupling a hemispherical seal 53 around the hole. Sucha bottle 10 also includes an actuator 50 and a medium 60 disposed in thetop portion of the bottle 10 and inside the storage 54. The medium 60forms a pointed end which is oriented to abut the seal 53 when the seal53 is intact. The actuator 50 has a handle 51 which functions similar tothose of FIG. 7F, i.e., the seal 53 encloses the storage 54 on the sideof the body 20 but is arranged to directly receive the user input. Thehandle 51 is made of and/or includes various materials and mechanicalcharacteristics of such a handle 51 is selected to be sturdy enough totransmit the user input onto the medium 60 which is stored in thestorage 54. Thus, the storage 54 is typically bound by the hemisphericalseal 53 on its side and also by the flat handle 51 on its side. It isappreciated in the figure that the seal 53 couples with the body onlyalong a periphery of the base of the bottle. Such a seal 53 may,however, be arranged to be attached to a larger portion of an outer wallof an annular bottom portion defining the center hole. It is appreciatedthat this bottle 10 may be classified as the type A3 or A4, B3 or B4,C1, D3, E2, F3 or F4, and G2 or G1.

In operation, the user obtains the bottle 10 which is filled with thefluid 70 to the middle portion thereof and includes the medium 60. Uponuse, the user reaches such a handle 51 of the actuator 50 disposed onthe side of the body 20 from the side, and applies the user input bypressing the handle 51 inwardly into the interior of the bottle 10. Inresponse to the input, the handle 51 begins to push the medium 60 towardthe seal 53. When the magnitude of the user input reaches a thresholdvalue, the pointed end of the medium 60 cuts or bursts the seal 53. Asthe user applies further input, the medium 60 moves out of the storage54 and into the fluid 70. The medium 60 then mixes with the fluid 70 inall of its surfaces. When the medium 60 includes the protective layersto protect its agents from the UV rays, such layers contacts the fluid70 and dissolve or disperse into the fluid 70. Thereafter, variousagents such as the antioxidants included in the medium 60 mix with thefluid 70. Depending upon the characteristics of such agents and/orfillers of the media 60, the mixing between the media 60 and fluid 70may be promoted as described above. Other configurational andoperational characteristics of the bottle 10 and various parts thereofof FIG. 7I are similar or identical to those of FIGS. 2A to 2C, FIGS. 3Ato 3T, FIGS. 4A to 4J, FIGS. 5A to 5K, FIGS. 6A to 6E, and FIGS. 7A to7H.

Configurational and/or operational variations and/or modifications ofthe above embodiments of the exemplary medium-containing bottles andvarious parts thereof described in FIGS. 2A to 7I also fall within thescope of this invention.

As described above, the medium-containing bottles of the presentinvention may be provided in various shapes and/or sizes. Similarly,such bottles may also include the bodies with various shapes and/orsizes. Accordingly, the body may form a taper increasing in its sizefrom its top portion toward its bottom portion or may define asubstantially similar radius along its longitudinal axis. In addition,the body may define any desirable cross-section which may be uniformalong the longitudinal axis of the bottle or may vary therealong. Thebottle may also define a grip to facilitate handling thereof.

The bottle and its body may be made of and/or include various materialssuch as, e.g., plastics, glasses, metals, paper, and compositematerials, where an entire portion of such a bottle and/or body may bemade of and/or include the same material or where different portionsthereof may be made of and/or include different materials. Whendesirable, the body may include a portion which may protect the mediumfrom the UV rays, where such a portion may be arranged to be opaque ormay have other materials capable of reflecting and/or absorbing the UVrays. Alternatively, a portion of the actuator such as the storage, itschamber, its pathway, and/or seal may be made of and/or include thesimilar materials for reflecting and/or absorbing the UV rays. Theseembodiments obviate the need to lay the protective layer over themedium, thereby rendering the medium dissolve or disperse into the fluidas soon as the medium is mixed with the fluid.

The bottle may include an auxiliary body which is arranged to couplewith a desired portion of the body and to transmit various user inputsto various parts of the bottle. For example, the handle of the actuatormay be expanded to enclose the periphery of the body along a desirableportion thereof and used for receiving the user input. In anotherexample, the chamber, pathway, an/or seal of such an actuator may beexpanded and incorporated to the body. Depending upon the needs, theauxiliary body may be releasably or fixedly coupled to the body.

The bottle generally defines a single opening in its top portions. Inthe alternative, such a bottle may define a single opening in its middleor bottom portion, may define multiple openings in one of both of thetop or bottom portions, and the like. As described above, the bottle mayform auxiliary openings or holes through which at least a portion of theactuator may be fixedly or releasably incorporated. In general, theauxiliary opening may be formed in any of the top, middle, and bottomportions of the body depending upon the storage location of the medium,disposition of the seal, and the like. Such auxiliary openings may alsobe used to store the medium, to pass the portion of the actuator, andthe like. The base of the bottle is otherwise enclosed in order tomaintain the requisite sealing for storing the fluid in the bottle.

The bottle may include various stoppers for various purposes. In oneexample, a stopper may be disposed near the seal or, more specifically,between the seal and medium. When a heavy medium is disposed over theintact seal, a weight of the medium may be augmented by a shock duringstorage or handing and may prematurely rupture the seal. In order toprevent this, a stopper such as a ridge or an indentation may be formedbetween the seal and medium in order to provide a resistance to anunintended movement of the medium. The stopper, however, is designed sothat the user may easily overcome the resistance upon use. In anotherexample, a stopper may be disposed near the actuator or, morespecifically, adjacent to the handle and/or coupler thereof. The purposeof this stopper may be similar to that of the first example and toprevent accidental application of unintended force to such a handleand/or coupler from consummating in breaking the seal. When plausible,various protective covers may further be disposed over the handle inorder to prevent such accidental application of the user input.

The medium-containing bottles of the present invention may includevarious media which may be mixed based upon various arrangements. Forexample, the medium may be arranged to stay inside the storage after theseal is removed or, alternatively, may move out of the storage, or maybe moved out therefrom. Regardless of its density, the medium may beretained inside the storage after the seal is removed, e.g., by formingthe gap which is smaller than the medium, by actively coupling with sucha media, and the like. In the alternative, the medium may stay insidethe storage regardless of the size of the gap, e.g., by arranging such amedium to be heavier than the fluid, by arranging the slope of thestorage to render the medium to roll inwardly to the storage, and thelike. In contrary, the medium may move out of the storage, e.g., bypushing the medium into the fluid by the actuator, by arranging such amedium to be lighter than the fluid and to float in the fluid, byarranging the medium to be heavier than the fluid and to roll or dropout of the storage, and the like. The storage may also include thepathway for guiding the medium moving out of the storage along a presetpath.

As described in the co-pending applications, the medium may have thedensity which changes during the course of dissolution or dispersion.Thus, such a medium may first sink into the fluid during the initialphase of mixing and then float in the fluid thereafter. Conversely, themedium may first float in the fluid during the initial phase of mixingand then sink thereinto thereafter. For example, the agents which aresoluble to the fluid and fillers which are at least partially insolublethereto may be selected in such a manner that the agents are heavierthan the fluid but the fillers are lighter than the fluid. This mediumfirst sinks in the fluid during the initial phase of mixing. As theagents dissolve or disperse into the fluid, the apparent density of themedium gradually decreases and the medium may begin to float in thefluid. Conversely, the medium may define multiple voids therein whichmay be primarily defined by the soluble agents and/or fillers. Thismedium may be arranged to float in the fluid during the initial phase ofmixing. As the agents and/or fillers dissolve or disperse into thefluid, such voids coalesce into the fluid and the apparent density ofthe medium gradually increases, thereby sinking the medium when a presetportion of the voids disappear into the fluid.

Multiple media may be included in various bottles of this invention,where such media may have similar or identical shapes and/or sizes, maydefine different shapes and/or sizes, may include similar or identicalagents and/or fillers, may include different agents and/or fillers, andso on. In addition, the media may be disposed in the same portion ordifferent portions of the bottle, may be moved within the same portionwhen the seal is removed, may move or be moved from one to anotherportion of such a bottle when the seal is removed, and the like.

The medium may further include various fillers and/or retainers fordefining preset dimensions during the dissolution or dispersion. Such amedium may also be used as a stirrer when the bottle is shaken by theuser. Further details of such media, their agents and/or fillers, andtheir configurations have been provided in the co-pending applications.

It is appreciated that various media may be incorporated in the top,middle or bottom of the bottle before use or may be incorporated in thetop portion, middle portion or bottom portion of the bottle before use.It is also appreciated that, when the bottle includes multiple mediatherein, such a bottle may include all of the media in only one of thetop, middle, and bottom of the bottle before use or in only one of thetop portion, middle portion or bottom portion of the bottle before use.In the alternative, the bottle incorporating multiple media may includeat least one medium in one of the top, middle, and bottom of the bottlebefore use, while including at least one another medium in another ofthe top, middle, and bottom of the bottle before use. Similarly, such abottle incorporating multiple media may include at least one medium inone of the top portion, middle portion, and bottom portion of the bottlebefore use, while including at least one another medium in another ofthe top portion, middle portion, and bottom portion of the bottle beforeuse. In all of these embodiments, separation between the medium andfluid may be accomplished by at least one of various seals or chambersas have been described hereinabove and/or as have been denoted in thefigures.

It is further appreciated that various media may be mixed with the fluidin the top, middle or bottom of the bottle upon use or may be mixed withthe fluid in the top portion, middle portion or bottom portion of thebottle upon use. It is also appreciated that, when the bottle includesmultiple media therein, all of the media may be mixed with the fluid inonly one of the top, middle, and bottom of the bottle upon use or inonly one of the top portion, middle portion or bottom portion of thebottle upon use. In the alternative, when the bottle incorporatesmultiple media therein, at least one medium may be mixed with the fluidin one of the top, middle, and bottom of the bottle upon use, while atleast one another medium may be mixed with the fluid in another of thetop, middle, and bottom of the bottle upon use. Similarly, when such abottle incorporates multiple media therein, at least one medium may bemixed with the fluid in one of the top portion, middle portion, andbottom portion of the bottle upon use, while at least one another mediummay be mixed with the fluid in another of the top portion, middleportion, and bottom portion of the bottle upon use. In all of theseembodiments, mixing between the medium and fluid may be accomplished bybreaking at least one various seals and/or providing fluid communicationbetween various chambers and fluids as have been described hereinaboveand as have been denoted in the figures.

Unless otherwise specified, various features of one embodiment of oneaspect of the present invention may apply interchangeably to otherembodiments of the same aspect of this invention and/or embodiments ofone or more of different aspects of this invention. Accordingly, all ofthe storages of FIGS. 3A to 3J may be incorporated by any seals of FIGS.4A to 4J and FIGS. 6A to 6E, any actuators of FIGS. 5A to 5K and FIGS.6A to 6E, and the like. Similarly, any parts of the exemplary bottlesshown in FIGS. 2A to 2C and FIGS. 7A to 7F may be replaced by thestorages of FIGS. 3A to 3J, seals of FIGS. 4A to 4J and FIGS. 6A to 6E,actuators of FIGS. 5A to 5K and FIGS. 6A to 6E, and the like.

It is to be understood that, while various aspects and embodiments ofthe present invention have been described in conjunction with thedetailed description thereof, the foregoing description is intended toillustrate and not to limit the scope of the invention, which is definedby the scope of the appended claims. Other embodiments, aspects,advantages, and modifications are within the scope of the followingclaims.

Although a few embodiments of the present invention have been shown anddescribed, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art thatchanges may be made in this embodiment without departing from theprinciples and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined inthe claims and their equivalents.

1. A bottle which forms an interior therein and also defines a topportion, a middle portion, and a bottom portion along a longitudinalaxis thereof from its top to bottom, the bottle comprising: a body whichis configured to be hollow while providing said interior with a presetvolume and to separate said interior of said bottle from an exteriorthereof; at least one medium which is configured to include therein atleast one biologically active agent and to be incorporated into saidbottle in said top portion and between an exterior of said bottle andsaid interior; at least one fluid which is disposed in said interiorwhile filling said middle and bottom portions in an upright position ofsaid bottle and which is configured to dissolve said agent therein whenmixed with said medium; and at least one seal which is configured to beremovably disposed between said medium and fluid and to fluidly separatesaid medium from said fluid when intact, and to be removed in responseto a user input for mixing said medium with said fluid.
 2. The bottle ofclaim 1, wherein said agent is an antioxidant.
 3. The bottle of claim 2,wherein said antioxidant is configured to be degradable by ultravioletrays and wherein said medium includes at least one filler which isconfigured to at least one of block said rays and cover at least asubstantial portion of said medium, and to protect said medium from saidrays.
 4. The bottle of claim 2, wherein said antioxidant is configuredto be degradable by ultraviolet rays and wherein said at least one ofsaid body and seal includes at least one material which is configured toat least one of block said rays and enclose at least a substantialportion of said medium therein, and to protect said medium from saidrays.
 5. The bottle of claim 2, wherein said antioxidant is configuredto be degradable in a prolonged period of time and wherein said seal isconfigured to prevent said fluid and its vapor from dissolving saidantioxidant contained in said medium.
 6. The bottle of claim 1, whereinsaid medium is configured to be disposed in said top portion, to move toone of said middle and bottom portions, and to be mixed in said one ofsaid portions.
 7. The bottle of claim 6, wherein said seal is configuredto be removed in response to said user input and wherein said fluid isconfigured to flow into and to mix with said medium.
 8. The bottle ofclaim 1, wherein said medium is configured to be disposed in said topportion but to be mixed in one of said middle and bottom portions. 9.The bottle of claim 1, wherein said medium is configured to be disposedin said top portion and to be mixed in said top portion.
 10. The bottleof claim 1 further comprising at least one actuator which is configuredto break said seal in response to said user input, thereby fluidlycommunicating said medium with said fluid through said seal.
 11. Thebottle of claim 1 further comprising at least one actuator which isconfigured to move said seal from an intact position to another positionin response to said user input, thereby fluidly communicating saidmedium with said fluid through said seal.
 12. The bottle of claim 11,wherein said seal is configured to one of rotate along an angular track,translate along a curvilinear track, and pivot about a center ofrotation in response to said user input.
 13. The bottle of claim 11,wherein said seal is configured to move between at least two differentpositions in one of said top, middle, and bottom portions.
 14. Thebottle of claim 11, wherein said seal is configured to move from one ofsaid top, middle, and bottom portions to another of said top, middle,and bottom portions.
 15. A bottle which forms an interior therein andalso defines a top portion, a middle portion, and a bottom portion alonga longitudinal axis thereof from its top to bottom, the bottlecomprising: a body which is configured to be hollow while providing saidinterior with a preset volume and to separate said interior of saidbottle from an exterior thereof; at least one medium which is configuredto include therein at least one biologically active agent and to beincorporated into said bottle in one of said top, middle, and bottomportions and between an exterior of said bottle and said interior; andat least one seal which is configured to be removably disposed betweensaid medium and said interior and to fluidly separate said medium fromsaid interior when intact, and thereafter to be removed as a response toa user input in order to fluidly communicate said medium with saidinterior.
 16. The bottle of claim 15, wherein said agent is anantioxidant.
 17. The bottle of claim 16, wherein said antioxidant isconfigured to be degradable by ultraviolet rays and wherein said mediumincludes at least one filler which is configured to one of block saidrays and cover at least a substantial portion of said medium, and toprotect said medium from said rays.
 18. The bottle of claim 16, whereinsaid antioxidant is configured to be degradable by ultraviolet rays andwherein at least one of said body and seal includes at least onematerial which is configured to one of block said rays and enclose atleast a substantial portion of said medium therein, and to protect saidmedium from said rays.
 19. The bottle of claim 16, wherein saidantioxidant is configured to be degradable in a prolonged period of timeand wherein said seal is configured to prevent said fluid and its vaporfrom dissolving said antioxidant contained in said medium.
 20. A bottlewhich axially defines a top, a middle, and a bottom therealong and formsa plurality of separated portions therein, the bottle comprising: a bodywhich is configured to define an interior for containing a fluidtherein, to have said top, middle, and bottom, and to define an openingwhich is provided in said top and in one end thereof and through whichsaid fluid is filled into said interior and dispensed to an exteriorthereof; at least one chamber which is configured to be defined in saidtop portion, to extend to one of said middle and bottom, and to define apreset volume; and at least one seal which is configured to operativelycouple with said chamber, to be disposed in one of said middle andbottom of said body, to fluidly separate said chamber from said interiorwhen intact, and to be removable in order to provide a fluidcommunication between said chamber and said interior therethrough.